The Wanda Bilec Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research was established by family and friends in memory and to honor a loving wife,  daughter, sister, devoted mother and a caring friend.

 

Wanda was born to Mary and Amerigo Vincent DeMaro on December 16, 1946.  She was one of five children who later put herself through college while raising two young girls.  In 1987 she met her husband George in a mutual bowling league and together they raised their four children while caring for her mother Mary.

 

Wanda's interests include gardening, interior decorating, cooking and shopping, but her passion was her family.  Together she and George raised their blended family of four children and they were proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.  She worked as an Administrative Assistant for 23 years until retirement in May 2007.  Wanda had visions of home remodeling to accomodate her growing family, dreamed of traveling with her husband and to spend quality time with her children and grandchildren.

 

On May 19, 2008, her world as she knew changed.  After a series of tests, bloodwork and sonograms for what appeared to be unknown stomach pains, she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  Three days later the biopsy confirmed that she had Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Pancreas.