Obituary of Lillian S. Lukac

Lukac, Lillian (nee Simcak), 86, died peacefully on Friday, January 20, at Chilton Memorial Hospital, with her family at her side.  Born and raised in Garfield, NJ, she was an honors graduate of Garfield High School. She earned a BA degree in English, with a minor in elementary education, from Upsala College. She went on to teach 4^th grade at the Lincoln School in Pompton Lakes, and married Michael Lukac in 1962. She moved to the Towaco section of Montville Township in 1967, where she lived until her death.  

Starting in the 1980's, Lillian was employed by Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ, first in the campus library, then in the public relations office, where she proudly represented FDU until her retirement two decades later. She was very social, and loved the academic atmosphere of the university including daily interactions with students and faculty. She availed herself of the many cultural offerings of FDU, particularly Opera at Florham, and attended lectures by various guest speakers and scholars. Lillian delighted in discussing the history of FDU's Madison campus with friends, family, and anyone else who lent an ear. 

Lillian was enthusiastically involved in many civic activities including being a past member of the Montville Women's Club,  former assistant troop leader of Girl Scout Troop 657 in Montville, class mother when her children were in elementary school, devoted band and Little League parent, as well as being very active in her church in various capacities. Lillian was a skilled knitter and involved in a knitting club at her church, and was a voracious reader and puzzle solver. She enjoyed working in her garden and had quite a "green thumb". More recently and prior to the pandemic, she enjoyed the camaraderie of the Montville Senior Club. She also enjoyed traveling, and one of Lillian's fondest trips was driving cross-county on Route 66 with a friend to celebrate their college graduation. She cherished her Slovak heritage, and fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Slovakia in 2003.  

Lillian is survived by her son David (Diana), daughter Lori Slinski (John), granddaughters Sophia, Elena, and Kayleigh, and numerous relatives and friends. Her husband, Michael Lukac, predeceased her in 1996.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan 28, at Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Montville, NJ at 11:30 AM. Please, no flowers – donations to your favorite charity in Lillian’s  name would be appreciated.