She is survived by her husband S Jerry Vilardi, sons Michael J Vilardi (Marvin Hart) of Virginia Beach VA, Peter Vilardi (Dorothy) of Boynton Beach FL, and Kent Fuka (Nancy) of Santa Fe NM, daughter Kim Krech (Peter) of Seattle, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren: Daniel Vilardi (Gisele) and their children Giovanni and Bella, Jonathan Vilardi, Chris Fuka (Megann) and their son John, Lauren Fuka, Jack Jennings (Marija Radisavljevic), and Will Jennings. She also leaves behind her sister Arlene Hazlett, niece Juanita Knussman, and nephew Eric Hazlett (Mary).
Donna was the daughter of Herman and Laura Stralow (nee Schumacher), born on July 5, 1931 in Sterling IL, and grew up in Morrison Illinois.
After attending the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, and graduating in 1953, she began her career as a dedicated educator, specializing in early elementary reading and Junior High School Language Arts. She taught Preschool in Germany when her then husband George Fuka was in the Military. Donna obtained her Master’s Degree in Education in 1969, and taught for over 35 years in Illinois—first in Villa Park, then at Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove, and finally at Westmont Junior High. She was an inspired and inspiring educator, dedicated to helping young people. Donna was a proud member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society. She was also a longtime member of the choir at First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove.
Donna began her 50-year marriage to Jerry Vilardi in Downers Grove in 1971. They retired to Port St Lucie Florida in 1994 and enjoyed living close to Jerry’s parents Pauline and Solven Vilardi. Donna and Jerry entertained one another at the ‘Villa Vilardi’ sharing books, music, meals, travel, and friendships with their community of neighbors and friends.
Donna participated as a patient in a clinical research study for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia at MD Anderson Medical Center in Houston.
The family would like to acknowledge Julia Verissimo, who assisted Donna for 10 years with the issues related to Frontotemporal Degeneration with which Donna was challenged in her later years. The family would also like to thank Delta Brown for her inspired work with Donna which provided much comfort to Donna and the Family.
Interment will be at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison Illinois.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration https://www.theaftd.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/
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