Phyllis Teresa Skibbens' Obituary
Phyllis Teresa Skibbens, 79, passed away at 3:43 am on Saturday July 11, 2009 at home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am Tuesday July 14, 2009 in St. Patrick Catholic Church with Rev. Jeff Grant as Celebrant. Visitation will be 5:00 - 8:00 pm Monday in Moran & Goebel Funeral Home with a Vigil Prayer Service at 4:45 pm. Burial will be Wednesday in Camp Butler National Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Project Linus.
Phyllis was born June 29, 1930 in St Hyacinth Parish, Chicago, daughter of Martin and Florence Wasik. She attended St. Hyacinth grade school, Resurrection high school and Loyola University. She married Charles P. Skibbens June 9, 1951 in St. Hyacinth Church. Their children are Christopher J. of Kankakee; Hugh B. Joni of Warrenville; Ronald J. Rexanne Phillips of Halifax, Nova Scotia; Ilene Mark Snyder of Bloomington; and Steve J. Eyvette of Dalton City. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Jeanette Jamie Young, Charles Green and Japheth Skibbens; Sarah Joe Ancheta Of Las Vegas, NV; Jared Jacqui of Wheaton; Kathryn and Julia Skibbens of Warrenville: five great grandchildren: Aiden Cardozo Green of Austin, TX; Braden and Cole Young of Bloomington; IL, Ava and Caleb Ancheta of Las Vegas, NV.
Phyllis is also survived by her brother Gerald Wasik Florence of Kalamazoo, MI.
Her mother Florence and father Martin preceded her in death. After their divorce Martin remarried and had a daughter, Judy Jim Cicero of Chicago.
Phyllis was a homemaker and stay at home mother until her youngest was in high school. She then started and managed The Wearhouse, ladies ready to wear store for several years. She then held a number of different positions, finally working as a secretary at St. Patrick’s Church, a position she truly loved. She retired after 14 years of very happy service.
Phyllis loved to knit, a skill she learned from her grandmother. In addition to sweaters for herself and family, she knitted little outfits for premature babies for St. Mary’s Hospital for several years and also knitted 225 blankets for Project Linus… She quilted with a group of ladies for more than 30 years. Several of their quilts won blue ribbons and other awards. During retirement she volunteered at Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital She belonged to the Antique Study Group, American Association of University Women.
For over 30 years Phyllis and Charles enjoyed going out with a group of friends to different restaurants each Friday night. After dinner they would go to one couple’s home to play cards and visit. At one point there were more than 15 couples in the group. Over the years that number has dwindled.
Phyllis loved to work in her flower garden, where she spent many happy hours.
She also loved to feed, watch and listen to the wrens, house finches, gold finches and especially the hummingbirds that gave her many hours of enjoyment.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many friends and relatives who sent cards, good wishes, prayers, casseroles and dinners to supplement Chuck’s cooking.
The family also wishes to express its gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff of DMH Hospice for its compassionate, tender care during Phyllis’ last months. The Hospice staff truly made her last days bearable both to Phyllis and to her family. Hospice is a truly wonderful service; the entire staff is really remarkably caring.
The family of Phyllis Teresa Skibbens is being served by Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe Street, Decatur.
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