on July 24, 2025, at Culpeper Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Connie was

predeceased by the love of her life, Franklin A. Pilkerton, Sr. They shared 56 years of

marriage.

Connie grew up in suburban DC and was a proud 1960 graduate of High Point High in

Beltsville MD. It’s there that she met her sweetheart, Frankie. They enjoyed raising their

young family, entertaining family and friends, bowling, dancing, playing cards, and

community service. Connie worked as a clerk and then secretary for the US Department of

Agriculture and was a Girl Scout troop leader in Beltsville and Madison VA. In Madison,

Connie and her husband were the proprietors of the Wolftown Mercantile from 1976-1982.

She briefly managed a Hallmark store before landing the job she loved, office manager for

David DeViese, DDS in Madison where she diligently tended the books, the patients, the

staff, and the dentist with great care and efficiency, a perfect role that suited her love of

service and organization.

Connie stated her strongest values were raising her children, and her connections to God,

family and friends. She would do anything for others and was very giving, often caring for

family in need. Despite multiple health challenges in later life, her love for and belief in God

were steadfast and strong. Deeply saddened by the loss of many family members and a

true child of the fifties, TV and music became consistent companions enjoying cooking,

genealogy, sitcom, family movie and game shows to learn and laugh with. She loved the

oldies, classic country and all things Elvis, and on Fall Sundays, you could find her cheering the Washington Commanders.

Connie will be remembered always by her children: Sherril (Jeff) Martz of Wolftown, Jerome

of Madison, Frank Allen Jr of New Market, Anita (Hylon) Pilkerton-Plumb of Lancaster PA,

Timothy of Wolftown, and stepdaughter, Peggy Ann (Mark) Billdilli of Mesa AZ. Also

surviving are grandchildren Nicole (Shawn) Rose of Remington, J. Scott Martz of Wolftown;

Theron and Arlo Plumb of Lancaster PA; Dale (Kristi) Richardson, Jr of Mesa AZ, Wesley

Richardson of Gold Canyon AZ, Jamie (Colin) Harris of Cottonwood AZ; Jamie Vedock-

Riddle of Frederick MD and Thomas Riddle of Parkersburg WV; brother-in-law, Aubrey

Pilkerton of Deltaville; and sister, Jeanne Swartz of Lewes DE. Connie’s extended family

and her love for many cousins, nieces and nephews was abundant. She adored you all.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents Henrietta Mae Heim and Jerome J Swartz, a

member of the Maryland House of Representatives; daughter, Laverne Riddle; daughter-in-law Sue Dodson Pilkerton; brother, Thomas (and wife Rebecca) Swartz; and numerous

beloved sisters and brothers in law.

The family would like to thank the caring staff while at home, and at Dogwood Village and

Culpeper Memorial CCU.

Favorite causes included Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Catholic Church, veterans’

organizations, and Alzheimer’s research. A donation to one of these causes is welcome. In

honor of Connie, you might call or visit a friend or family member you haven’t seen in a

while. She loved to stay connected with people. That was her way.

 

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Our Lady of the Blue Ridge Catholic Church in Madison with Father James Bruse officiating. Interment will be in St. Isadore Catholic Church Cemetery in Orange, Va. The family will have a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, August 1,, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison.