Prospect, Conn. – Jane Stephanie Valetkevitch of Prospect, Conn., a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died May 1, 2026, at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., after a short illness. She was 88.
She was born on Nov. 29, 1937, to William Louis Jr. and J. Stephanie (Oldakowski) Hankey in Waterbury, Conn. She graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury and then from flight attendant school in New York City. She was married to Albert Charles Valetkevitch for 60 years, and they had four children: Patricia (Clyde) Marotte of Middlebury, Conn.; Caroline Valetkevitch of Bronxville, N.Y.; Andrew Valetkevitch of Prospect; and Heidi (Keith) Rebello of Bethesda, Md..
A dedicated homemaker, Jane was also a staunch defender of women’s rights. She loved being a Girl Scout troop leader and helping young girls to earn their badges and discover their dreams. She was also a patriotic American who believed in a citizen’s civic obligations to vote in elections and to pay taxes.
She enjoyed writing short stories and letters to life-long pen pals in Canada and Ireland. She was an avid collector of postcards from around the world.
She loved gardening, genealogy and, in later years, spending time with her grandchildren:Rachel Marotte of Middlebury; Zachary (Alexis) Marotte of New Britain, Conn.; Nicholas Marotte of Newington, Conn.;Michael Reid Craig of Bronxville; Lucy Jane and Jack Rebello of Bethesda.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, and her brother, William Hankey III. She is survived by her brother, Edward Hankey of Prospect.
Saturday May 9, 2026 Calling Hours 9:00 am to 10:30 am .Funeral service at 10:30am. A burial with military honors to follow in Grove Cemetery.
After a service in the Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home in Naugatuck, Conn., Jane and Albert will be buried together in the Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck. Albert will be given a military burial. He was a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, in which he served for eight years.