Lenore "Lee" P. Aleksunes

Lenore “Lee” P. (D’Onofrio) Aleksunes, 100, of Wallingford, passed away peacefully at home with her loving daughter by her side, on Saturday, October 11, 2025. Lee was sadly predeceased by her husband, R. Marshall Aleksunes, her son, Raymond C. Aleksunes and her three brothers, Joe, Tony and Fred. Born at home in Harford on June 16, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Leone and Marianna (Varone) D’Onofrio. She worked for Aetna Life & Casualty, retiring after 23 years of dedicated service and volunteered at Hartford Hospital for 10 years after she retired.

A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Lee will be forever missed by her devoted daughter, Marcia A. Aleksunes and her partner, MJ Kushwara, with whom she made her home after residing in Hartford for 92 years. Lee will also be missed by her granddaughters, whom she cherished, Renee Hall and her husband Matt and Dana Degen.

Lee is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Jayden, Elliot and Zoey; her nieces, Susan Mulcunry and her husband, Richard, Linda Rivard and her husband, Guy, Kim Mack and her husband, Chuck; nephews, James Aleksunes and his wife, Virginia and Anthony L. D’Onofrio Jr. and his wife, Corey.

Lee loved spending time with her granddaughters, great-grandchildren and Nancy Backhaus Briere and her husband, Ron, who meant the world to her. She also made sure that she watched Mass on TV every day, as well as Judge Judy. She would also look forward to her daily phone calls from Carlene Harvey, who was a friend of her son Raymond and stayed close even after Raymond’s passing. Lee could talk the spots off a leopard and was known to talk on the phone for hours. She loved her chocolate, especially Reese’s peanut butter cups, which you could find hidden throughout her home; as well as desserts made by her neighbor, Mike Amarante.

Lee’s daughter would like to thank the Hartford Healthcare at Home Hospice Team and the Blessed Caring Heart Homecare Home Health Aides. She would also like to extend a very special thank you to Mary Martinez, who was Lee’s first Aide and became a special and important person in her life.

Calling hours will be Thursday, October 16 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. concluding with a Prayer Service at 11:00 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choosing in Lee’s name.