It is with a heart full of cherished memories that we celebrate the life of Sonja M (Annik) Ziluca, who peacefully departed this world on January 10, 2025, in her home of over 60 years in Wilton, CT, at the remarkable age of 90. She was born on January 6, 1935, in New York, NY and shortly after moved to Silvermine and then to Wilton where she graduated from Staples High School in the class of 1952. Sonja embodied a spirit of adventure and warmth that touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Sonja and her late husband, Lucas F. Ziluca, established Wilton Imported Car Center on Route 7 in the early 1960s (initially directly across the street from her mother's house where they were married in 1958).  After expanding and moving the dealership to a larger location down the road in the late 1960s they decided to sell the business in the 1976 and pursue their passion of travel by opening Georgetown Travel Ltd in Georgetown, CT.  Sonja and her husband jointly operated the travel agency until his passing in 1996 when Sonja took over as sole proprietor for the next 24 years.  Sonja loved helping people with their travel itineraries near and far. Georgetown Travel (Sonja) became a hub of new, current and former clients as well as friends and acquaintances, who would stop by to regale their stories of travel or just for a chat and listening ear.

In Sonja's spare time she had a passion for and would love to garden both at her house in Wilton and her second home in the Borough of Stonington, CT.  She could not wait until Spring!  Sonja was also a big lover of cats and had many of them throughout her life including Marmalade, a rescue from Puerto Rico she took into her house a few years back and was by her side to the end.  Sonja also loved to spend time with the many neighbors and friends she held dear to her throughout her life and each of them take away special memories from their time together.

Sonja was predeceased by her father, Carl Ingmar Messelt, her mother, Edna Projahn Messelt, her husband of 38 years, Lucas F. Ziluca and beloved brother, Stephen Messelt. Sonja is survived by her son, Christopher Ziluca; her daughter, Deanna Dominguez; and her three grandchildren Stephanie Grasso, Matthew Ziluca and Alec Ziluca.

In honor of Sonja's vibrant spirit and the joyful memories she leaves behind, a celebration of her life will be held in the spring. We invite all who knew and loved her to join us in commemorating her extraordinary journey. Further details about the services will be shared soon.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to ROAR Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue at https://roar-ridgefield.org – making a difference one tail at a time Ridgefield Operation Animal Rescue – making a difference one tail at a time who were incredible in taking her beloved cat in for adoption to another loving home.