Edna Marie (Pilot) Lacaskey

Mrs. Edna Marie Pilot Lacaskey, 98, entered the Eternal Kingdom guided by the Lord’s Angels on Saturday May 23, 2026.

Edna was one of ten children of the late Mary Kowalczuk Pilot and the late Samuel Pilot, Sr.  She was born in Skillman, New Jersey located in Montgomery Township in Somerset County.  Edna was a proud and active resident of Linden for over fifty years before she moved to Winfield Park after the death of her husband in 2001.

To say that Edna liked to keep busy is an understatement!  Throughout her life, she held a variety of jobs in the local area, picking and choosing whatever store, restaurant counter or Wood Avenue opportunity presented itself - all the while maintaining her spotless home and raising her family.   During these years, Edna also found time to engage in card games with her liked minded group of friends, often getting together on a regular basis to play pinochle, canasta or whatever game suited them at the moment.  Bingo was also high on her activities, as she was a weekly regular at all the local spots for playing with her chips and colored markers.  Edna, along with her daughter, Janice, played with a zoned in ferocity looking and hoping for regular bingo, 4 corners, diagonal, inside box, outside box or the best ever – a full card!  While her late husband, Anthony was a designer and maker of fine jewelry, Edna went in the opposite direction producing from scratch all forms of costume jewelry.  Her workstation shelves were brimming with boxes of colored beads, chains and ropes for stringing, along with other intricate elements for her designs.  Edna adored the flea markets, as a shopper and a vendor – Englishtown being one of her favorites.  The “fleas” were her outlet for selling her creative motifs to all sorts of folks who admired her wares and wanted to wear her inspired designs.  If you were a very lucky family member or a good friend, you most definitely would be on the receiving end of a gift of Edna’s colorful handiwork.  Edna came from a generation of “walkers’ and you could find her strolling up and down Wood Avenue and even as far as the Roselle Shopping Center or the streets on the other side of Route 1 & 9.  She always kept moving; it sustained her vigor for life and helped her to retain her independence.

Edna was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Lacaskey in 2001 and her five siblings, Charles Pilot, Gerald Pilot, Patrick Pilot, Dolores Martinko and Catherine Pilot.

Edna is survived by her daughter, with whom she made her home, Janice M. Petralia and her husband, Vincent Petralia; her son, Robert A. Lacaskey; her three granddaughters, Laura, Allison and Cassie; her two great grandchildren; her brother, Samuel J. Pilot, Jr. and his wife, Ann “Lynn” M. Pilot, her three sisters, Ann Balnicki, Marjorie Buckingham and Barbara Pilot and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, neighbors and friends.

Edna was a simple, no frills, woman who treasured her family and the people in her life.  They all meant the world to her!  She asked for nothing in return just their love. Her daughter and son know how fortunate they were to enjoy each other until just the last few weeks of Edna’s life. No one could ask for anything more! 

According to Edna’s specific wishes, her funeral arrangements will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Edna's memory can be made by mail to the Center for Hope Hospice, 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076  or by phone at 908-288-9105 or online at http://www.cfhh.org

Edna’s family would like to thank everyone in Edna’s circle for their love, support and outreach during this sorrowful time.  Your love and prayers will guide them through their sea of grief at the loss of Edna.  She will be deeply missed, but Edna will always be remembered for her kind heart and loving nature.  May Edna now have Eternal Rest with her Lord and Savior.

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