Mary Faith Skinner, 80, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at St. Mary's Care Center in Madison. She was born on May 3, 1933 in Wausau, WI and was the daughter of Valentine and Martha (Knipple) Hamerla. She married Thomas Skinner on August 25, 1956 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wausau.
Mary enjoyed a long career as an elementary and music teacher including teaching vocal music at Sacred Hearts School. She remained passionate about education and music throughout her life. Following retirement, Mary volunteered as a remedial reading teacher and facilitated music therapy at the Colonial Club Adult Day Care Center. She was a member of numerous organizations including Sigma Alpha Iota music sorority, Baroque Chorus of Madison and the Sun Prairie Community Orchestra. She played violin and she sang with the VFW band. She was a charter member of Sun Prairie Civic Theatre, organizing and performing with the orchestra for many years.
Mary deeply loved nature and enjoyed many happy hours walking wooded trails and canoeing the rivers of Wisconsin and Florida. She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas; her loving children, Julie (Bill) Mott of Middleton, Kathleen (Don) Fritz of Prescott, Jean Skinner of DeLand, FL, Stephen Skinner of Madison, Rebecca (Wes) Roessler of Tomahawk; her beloved grandchildren, Jim, Andrew and David Mott, Jake (Katelyn) and Kailey Fritz, Walter and Grace Merlin, and Jordan and McKenna Roessler. She is also survived by her dear sisters, Rita Sebastian of Madison and Claire (Tony) Statz of Prairie du Sac; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to thank the staff of St. Mary's Care Center for their gentle and loving care of Mary during the final months of her life.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Catholic Church, 227 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie with Father Vince Brewer presiding. A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus Street in Sun Prairie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Colonial Club Adult Day Care Center or Sacred Hearts School endowment fund.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
& Cremation Service
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com