Helen Skaer Obituary

SKAER, Helen Helen Rooney Skaer, age 96, died August 4, 2005 in San Antonio, Texas. Born in Charleston, SC on March 6, 1909, she was the daughter of John D. and Helen C. Rooney. She was a graduate of Memminger High School and attended the College of Charleston. During World War II, Helen volunteered as a Red Cross Gray Lady, visiting hospitalized war casualties in San Diego, CA. Thereafter, she served in various volunteer positions throughout a most active life. Having been widowed five times, her life turned in many directions, but it was one of varied and rare experiences. Her husbands all had associations with the military service, through which she traveled the world and led an adventurous life while projecting a charm, a beauty, and a generousity for which she was well known. Her first husband, LCDR Donald Lovelace, was a naval aviator lost in the early stages of the Battle of Midway, 1942. She was subsequently widowed by RADM Massie Hughes, Lewis Kaye, COL Victor Cherbonnier, and BGEN Kenneth Skaer. Surviving are a daughter Sister Helen Louise ( a Sister of St. Joseph) of San Antonio; a son Donald A. Lovelace II and wife Nancy of Hanahan, SC; four grandchildren: Donald Lovelace III and wife Terri of Rockledge, FL; Stephen Lovelace and wife Cindy of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Gregory Lovelace and wife Camille of Wesley Chapel, FL; Malia Ritchie and husband Kevin of Midlothian, VA; eight great-grandchildren: Peyton and Tanner Lovelace of Rockledge; Zachary Lovelace of Mt. Pleasant; Ellen and William Lovelace of Wesley Chapel; Hunter, Ashton and Kendal Ritchie of Midlothian; and a brother T. Russell Rooney and wife Norma of Columbia, SC. She also leaves behind many stepchildren, step-grandchildren, a cousin, nieces and nephews; all of whom she deeply loved. A brother, Jack Rooney, and a sister, Sue Carey Lindholm, predeceased her. Arrangements made by Porter Loring Morturaries of San Antonio, Texas; Phone (210) 227-8221. Her remains will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at a date yet to be determined.