Margaret P. Skillings
Margaret P. Skillings, 97, of Georgetown, ME and Holden, MA, passed away on Monday, March 5, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Exton, PA. She leaves a son, Dr. John C. Skillings of Dansville, NY; daughter Judith Skillings Frawley of Exton, PA; nephew, Randall C. Perkins of Medford, OR; nieces, Pamela Perkins Smith and Sandra Perkins of Portland, ME; ganddaughter, Heather S. Crall of Mammouth Lake, CA; grandsons Adam C. Skillings of Dansville, NY and Matthew F. Skillings of Reno, NV; great nephew, Alex Smith and great grand children, Elinor M. Crall, Abram C. Crall and Leah E. Crall. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 tears, Neal T. Skillings and her brother Richard C. Perkins.
The elder child of Lena M. (Carver) and Walter H. Perkins, Margaret Estella Perkins was born May 14, 1914 in Lewiston, ME. She attended Deering High School in Portland, Maine and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Bates College in 1935 with a degree in English. At Bates she was a member of the first women's debating team to debate against men, taking on Oxford University. Following college she taught at South Portland High School in Maine with Neal Skillings whom she married on July, 27, 1940, honeymooning in Havana, Cuba. They settled in Skowhegan, Maine and had two children. In 1957, the family moved to Holden, MA when Mr. Skillings was hired as principal of Wachusett Regional High School. For nearly two decades she taught English composition and modern novel at West Boylston High School.
Throughout her life Ms. Skillings was a competitve bridge player and avid thespian, starring in numerous productions throughout college and appearing frequently with the Holden Players Club. She and her husband were members of the Worcester Dance Assembly. She was past president and until recently an active member of the Outdoor Sports Club of Worcester, MA. For the past several years she resided in Pennsylvania with her daughter and son-in-law, where she tried valiantly to forsake the Red Sox and become a Phillies fan.
A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Treasure Hunt Farm Foundation, PO Box 696, Rutland, Massachusetts 01543, an animal rescue organization she greatly admired.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences may be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com
Condolences
We're sorry to hear of Peg's
We're sorry to hear of Peg's passing. We'll always remember her with a smile on our faces. We enjoyed performing with her in "Auntie Mame", "Everybody loves Opal" and numerous other shows. We remember one occasion when we went to their house after a show and stayed until the sun came up. She couldn't believe the sun was rising and we were just leaving. Oh my!!!!! We also enjoyed their company at the "Dance Assembly". Lots of laughs there, also. We'll remember all these good times and speak fondly of both Peg and Neal.
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. Bob and Dorcas McCracken
What a Wonderful Life
Judith and Family,
What a wonderful woman your mom was. It was always entertaining and enlightening to spend time with her. Her stories of the "Good Old Days" were anything but basic history. She actually drove a standard and a convertable one at that in the 1930's when most women depended on men for their transportation neeeds. This she informed us was the start of her very interesting and diverse life. We have never met someone as classically stylish as Peg was, or as comfortable in cashmere at a society luncheon or on the deck of her centuries old vacation cottage. Peg was truley a remarkable woman that the world is a more enriched place because of. She will be sadly missed by all.
Love, Charlie and Sue
To the family of "Mrs. Skillings"
I am a former student of Mrs. Skillings from West Boylston. She was one of my favorite teachers! I loved when she read to us-you really felt like you were part of the book and knew the characters because she put so much enthusiasm into the reading. We were all listening attentively to find out was going to happen--not an easy feat with 18 year-olds. I am a teacher myself now, and I can only hope that I am half as good a teacher as she was. She was one of the reasons I became a teacher. I am very sorry for your loss--you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, Lisa Pepi
The best teacher I ever had
I had Mrs. Skillings for senior English at West Boylston High School, 1966-67. She inspired my love of literature ... and the Red Sox. It was my joy to visit her and Neil at their home in Holden after I graduated. She was gracious, vivacious, joy-filled, artisitc. She definitely impacted my life in a very positive way. --Len Silvester