Cecilia Barbara Ataro “Cece” Kilat

Cecilia Barbara Ataro “Cece” Kilat, 32, of Chicago, passed away on Monday, December 17, 2018. Cece was born on May 6, 1986, in Uganda, the daughter of Christine Lanyero and James Kilat.

She was raised in Salina, Kansas and graduated from Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School. She attended The University of Kansas before transferring to Columbia College in Chicago to study music. A lauded singer and clarinetist in high school, she taught herself to play piano during her years at Columbia. After college, she settled into Chicago, adopting it as her second hometown, working, attending shows and participating in her community.

With her quick wit and protective and loving personality, Cece made lifelong friends in college and beyond that became a part of her forever family.

Survivors include siblings Christopher and Emmanuel Kilat, of Salina; Beatrice Kilat, of Oakland, Calif., Kenneth Kilat, of Texas; Acan Kilat, of Atlanta; Jane Kilat, of Uganda; cousins Grace Ouattara, of Boston, and Susan Ogwal, of Florida; her father, James Kilat, of Cleveland, Ohio, and many other family members and friends around the United States and abroad.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Christine Lanyero.

She was dearly beloved and will be forever missed.

Memorial Mass for friends and family:
10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16th at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, Salina, KS

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to #LunchBagChi at GoFundMe.com/HelpChicago