Marilyn Skinner Obituary

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

A few days ago I shared the poem wriiten for my sister Marilyn and inadvertantly neglected to include her eulogy. I wanted those who were not able to attend the service to be able to share the feelings conveyed that day.


On behalf of my cousins, Joe, Nina, Amy, and Mike, I would like to thank everyone for being here today to say goodbye to my Aunt Marilyn. Your presence, words, thoughts, and prayers are all so important to us; especially due to the painful circumstances of her death.

We are now a family in agony. We are the victims of theft, as someone dear has been stolen from us: a mother, a daughter, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a niece, a cousin, and a friend. There is now a void in our lives that this precious woman once filled.

But so many other things have been stolen from us as well:

The power to make sense of this untimely death
Our ability to trust in the goodness of others
Our own inner peace and sense of security
And perhaps, for some, their faith in God

And so, in the face of all that has been taken from us, we join together to give each other strength and comfort in our time of need. But despite our outpouring of grief, today is also a day to commemorate and celebrate the gifts of love, strength, and compassion that Marilyn imparted to us all. With that in mind, I would like to read a poem that I have written to her.

In just the past few months, Marilyn trained my husband and I to do peritoneal dialysis. She was an excellent trainer and a very caring person. We are glad to have known her and grieve at the tragedy that took her life. Our prayers are with all of the family and her co-workers at DCI.

Marilyn,

Our grief is immeasurable, and it’s only just begun. A bright, beautiful light went out in our world, but our love will go on and on and on and on……….

Love,

Mommy, Dolores and Andy




We’d like to share the eulogy given for Marilyn at her service and thank each and every one of you who smiled at her along the way. God blessed us with the gift of Marilyn and we will be eternally grateful for his generosity.


The Spirit of You


Aunt Marilyn
I’ll always remember and love the spirit of you

I appreciated your sincerity – honest and true
Insightful and loving – I always knew

I admired your independence – you were unique
And weren’t concerned with others’ critiques

I respected the freedom that you would always bestow
Allowing your children to learn and to grow

I was amazed by your resilience and tireless work
In adversity you excelled and never could shirk

I was touched by your compassion for the dying and ill
Their passing with dignity was your altruistic will

I loved your laugh – it had such style
Whenever I heard it, it made me smile

You were a wonderful mother of four
A woman whom her children adored
For your honesty, strength and caring ways
And a determination to brighten dark days

You worked long hours to keep your home
After you were left alone
The stress and strain took its toll
But you always fulfilled your motherly role

Selflessly carrying the load for five
You enabled all of your children to thrive
Your strength and love they carry inside
The fruits of your labor, which can’t be denied

Nursing was your chosen vocation
And patients soon felt your tremendous dedication
After work you’d sometimes drive to the shore
Completely exhausted, you’d sleep on our floor

Your move down South was very trying
A decision which left our family crying
But a new life awaited and challenges too
So with tears we wished your dreams would come true

Your nursing skills became an inspiration
Earning you praise and great admiration
We witnessed your talents in home hospice
When you cared for Aunt Joanny, your dying sis’

Your untimely death caused disbelief
But now our shock has turned to grief
No laughs, no hugs, no hand to hold
No mother or sister with whom to grow old

We are struggling with your tragic end
And so we ask the Lord to send
The strength to carry on and cope
And to restore our happiness and hope

With love and prayers for your eternal peace,

Andy

Just about everyday Marilyn would walk by my office and just give me that smile of hers. Sometimes i think there were unspoken words between us in some ways. Being an Italian from up north she knew about the cooking and baking that I did. I remember her telling me once that she had thought my Cookies were just as good as hers. I took that as a major compliment. This past week everytime somebody walks by my office I keep hoping it is her. May she rest in peace. I know she is an angel up there watching us all.

In the years I have known you as a friend and co-worker you have touched my life in so many ways. I will miss our talks and especially your smiling face every morning. You will be very sadly missed by all.

Nina, Amy, and the brothers I never met . . . my heart goes out to you. I didn't know your mother well, and it's been years since I saw her, but I remember her kindness was extraordinary. Such a tragic ending seems too unfair . . .

Amy, Mike, and family....
No words can convey the deepest sorrow felt for your pain and loss.
All my love, Dolphin & family

Marilyn,
I think back at all the fun times we had at Grandmom Benny's house on Broad Street. All of us cousins together was a very happy time in my life. You are now with all the wonderful people our family has lost. You to will be missed and someday we will all be together again. Love Gloria and Jim LaBriola

Nina, Amy, Joe & Michael, I am so sorry for you at this sad time. I always enjoyed seeing Marilyn when she came to visit and we shared stories of our grandchildren. Cherish those special memories, especially there on the beach. You and your Grandmother and Dolores are in my prayers. Love, Sally McNichol

Marilyn was an awesome lady who cared deeply for others. She was my sister's nurse, and when April passed, she helped me. She will be missed. If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to call. I will
keep your family in my prayers.
Sincerely,

Gina C. Thompson

I will never forget you for how you worked with us to make Rufus feel at home during his home treament you will be greatly missed

Amy and family, Whitey and I were shocked to learn of you Mother's Death. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers. You were such a good friend to our Becky, we love you for that.

Nina, Joe, Amy & Michael.

We're so sorry about the loss of your Mother. She was such a nice lady who seemed to really enjoy her children and grandchildren. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May your memories of your Mom bring you comfort.

Megan & Jeff Toal

My friend Marilyn- I can’t believe that it’s been over 10 years since the Lord caused our paths to cross. When we first met, we were at very different places in our lives....you were coming from a hospice management position to a dialysis staff nurse position while I was a young staff nurse who had just become a dialysis nurse manager. You were convinced that you would never learn dialysis while I was convinced that you would! We learned a lot from each other. We later went on to work together very closely at the DCI home program, and you were there for me during a very difficult personal time in my life. You are going to be missed so much!

I worked with Marilyn at Hospice of Charleston in the 1990s and our paths continued to cross frequently after that. She was a wonderful person and loved her family very much. She was a friend to me several times when I (or my family) was in crisis.I am so sorry for your loss.
Love,
Melanie Cason

We all at the dialysis clinic will sadly miss your softly spoken voice, no words can express the sorrow we feel, we sent our pray and blessing to the family, it was a pleasure working with her Tracy and clinic

So many memories have been shared over the past 10+years, and I will dearly miss you. You had such compassion and passion for your work, touching so many lives along the way. It all ended too soon but your legacy will live forever. Although I never had the opportunity to meet your children and grandchildren, I felt as though I knew them because they gave such joy to your life and we shared so many stories.
May you rest in peace and love,
Your friend
Kdel

I worked with Marilyn at Hospice of Charleston.It was my first hospice job and we were the pediatric team,I was the social worker.Remember Tracey and Kacey...our girls. We had great times and experiences even through the tears.She had a teeny little voice ,at times, and I can hear her now saying awwww Annie.My heart breaks at her loss but I am so proud to have known and loved her.

Everyone will miss that big, warm smile you gave to us. You will be truely missed. It was a true blessing knowing you at DCI.

I cannot be with you today but how I wish I could. I have no words to express my sadness at the loss of our most wonderful and unique Marylin. I had the pleasure of working with her at Hospice of Charleston. I carry you all gently in my heart as you deal with this loss. Sharon Hutchinson

To Ms. Marilyn Children and Family, my family mourns with you. She was a very loving and caring person, and had become a part of our family because of the services she rendered. We will Cherish the memories of her in our heart forever. However, Remember! Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. When you lose someone that you love, take comfort in knowing that those who were saved are now with God.

Never to be forgotten!

My dear cousin Marilyn. I loved you so much. Spending precious time with you during the summer months when I was a litle girl made be prouder than a peacock. Always and forever.

Marilyn was my cousin. Her father and my mother were brother and sister. Although we were not close as adults we did share many happy times as children, especially during the holidays. I was fortunate to see Marilyn a couple of times in recent years and we enjoyed sharing memories of our childhood, a time that now seems so simple and innocent. When I first heard of this tragedy, I thought that perhaps it was a mistake. Things like this didn't happen to our family - at least I didn't believe it ever could. Marilyn, I will always remember your impish smile. You deserved better. May you rest in peace.

Like the ripples in a pond, the life and the work of one wonderful person, Marilyn, spread out and touched the lives of so many others. She will be sorely missed.

Marilyn was a mentor to me when I worked at hospice. She was a ball of energy spinning out love and compassion to whomever was in her pathway. At this extremely difficult time, I pray that your memories of her love and goodness will sustain you as you mourn her loss.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

When I am dead, my dearest

When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain:
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget.

By Christina Rossetti
The Poetry Foundation