Aldona Rastenytė Page, 89, passed away on July 2, 2022, at her home in New York City.
Born in 1932 in Stropeliai, Lithuania, Aldona emigrated to the U.S. with her family in 1950. She moved to Philadelphia in 1966 and was a long-time parishioner at Saint Andrew Lithuanian Church. Aldona worked as an administrator at the University of Pennsylvania for many years. An active member of the Lithuanian community, Aldona hosted a Lithuanian radio program, published translations of Lithuanian poetry, was a Lithuanian language teacher, and sang with the Laisvė Lithuanian Choir. She served as the national chair of the Lithuanian Cultural Council from 2004–2008 and was also the long-time director of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Lithuanian Folk Art Institute, where she organized numerous exhibitions and cultural events. Aldona was also an accomplished actor in Philadelphia’s independent theater scene, and a member of Actors’ Equity.
She is survived by her two daughters, Lina (Martin) and Indrė; two sons, Andrew (Molly) and John (Renae); eight grandchildren – William, Nora, Ona, and Peter Stocovaz, and Walker, Oliver, Finn, and Maeve Page; as well as her sister, Laima Rastenis.
A funeral Mass will be
held at Saint Andrew Church on Saturday, July 9 with Fr. Dennis Gill of
the Archdiocese celebrating. Viewing will be between 10 and 11 AM, and
the Holy Mass will be at 11 AM. Aldona will be laid to rest in a
graveside service at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.