Mary Kathryn Skinner

Mary Catherine “Kathryn, Kay, Honey, Katie, Suzie” Skinner of Plymouth, Michigan. passed away peacefully of natural causes at 4:20 pm on October 8, 2015. She was surrounded by Family and friends at Independent Living Village of Plymouth when she passed. Mary was 91 years old. Mary was born on May 26, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan. the first child of Pearl Patricia and Ertman William Kessler: her siblings are, Patricia Ann, William Ertman, Fredrick Augustus, Ertman Leonard and Claudia Jean. She married Donald Joseph Skinner in Jacksonville Florida on May 21, 1946. She is survived by: John William, Kathleen Ann, Capt. Joseph Edward USN ret., Dr. Michael Patrick, Cynthia Louise and Capt. William Thomas USN; 21 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren all of whom she cherished. She was predeceased by her husband Donald Joseph, her sister Patricia Ann and two of her children Patricia Jean and Donald Fredrick. Family was important to Mary. She and Donald worked together to support their young family when money was tight. Building their first house together and in spite of her refrigerator falling through the floor, Mary always had a positive determination. Her children’s scars bear witness to all of the trips to the ER (where each of her children were known by name) where she wore her calm demeanor proudly. Mary was a veteran, she proudly served her country during the Second World War in the Naval WAVES. She joined the Navy as a way to assert her independence from a strict family life where she had to be home by 9 pm while commuting from Cherry Hill to Ann Arbor while attending the University of Michigan. She relished those occasions where she could burst into “Anchors Away” and took special pride in her two sons who graduated from the Naval Academy. When Mary’s parents moved from Detroit to Cherry Hill, she attended a one room school house for 2 years and then high school in Ypsilanti. After the War she returned to attend college at Eastern Michigan University part time, putting her bachelor’s degree on hold when the twins arrived. When the children were old enough she went back to school at School Craft Community College stopping only when found a sales job at Hudsons, where she excelled because of her personality and hard work. Mary was never one to just participate, she took on responsibility. She taught Sunday school at OLGC, produced the Punch and Judy shows making the stage, costumes and recruiting others to help put on shows. Mary was on the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, the board of residents at Walton Wood Independent Living Village and ran the bingo program there as well. Mary was always looking for outlets for her creative side: making wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses and countless Halloween costumes. In her later years she was able to express her artistic ability through her paintings and jewelry. She loved music, her favorite group was the Lennon Sisters and her favorite recordings were “Student Prince” and “Madam Butterfly”. Mary’s husband Donald frequently spoke of the beautiful red head he fell head over heels for and she always took pride in her appearance and while at Walton Woods looked forward to her weekly visits to have her hair and nails done. We are all grateful to daughters Cindy and Kathy, and other family members who lovingly supported Mary Catherine in her final months generously giving countless hours to be with her. A special thank you to Debbie from the VA. Mary you will be missed for your sense of humor, your hugs and most of all for the Love that you showered on us all A memorial mass in Mary's honor will be October 30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 47650 North Territorial Road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.