Margaret Skidmore

Obituary (Mary) Margaret Skidmore June 12, 1940 ?" February 11, 2008. Margaret was born in Wyandotte, MI to Thomas Phillip and Gladys Irene Pidgeon Clark and raised in Michigan with her two brothers and two sisters. She attended St. Patrick's school in Brighton, MI and Dominican High School in Adrian, MI graduated from St. Patrick's High School in 1958. She received her bachelor's degree and teaching credential from Eastern Michigan University in 1962. She was teaching language arts and met Robert who was teaching math at a Middle School in Lincoln Park, MI. She married Robert Vernon Skidmore and moved to Washington in 1964. Her son Scott Andrew was born March 21, 1965. She dedicated more than thirty years to teaching in Seattle, Anchorage and University Place. She started her west coast teaching career in Highline School District at Schnook Junior High. In 1976, she moved to Anchorage Alaska where the only teaching job available was a math position, and anyone who knew Mom understood that this not her favorite subject. After Robert and she divorced, she moved back to Washington and accepted a position teaching world history, English and occasionally health at Curtis High School. She loved being the debate coach and helped with the Key Club. Margaret taught more than twenty years at Curtis High School and completed her Master's degree in curriculum. She volunteered and loved to educate the new faculty. She was one of the key people to help keep the faculty together. However, her most significant teaching was done after school and at home as she befriended and mentored so many. Margaret was known for her big heart, open home and she loved to cook for any crowd. She always had an open door and an ear to listen and developed many good friends. Her tuna fish, apple pie, corn bread, turkey and stuffing, chili, split pea soup, garbage cookies. French toast and cheesy scrambled eggs were favorites. Nana was blessed with four grandchildren. Jamie and Joe Gannon had Brandon and Brie Anna. Scott and Denise Skidmore had twins, Amanda and Andrew Skidmore. Playing polar bowler on the computer and Farkel were a favorite with the twins. Margaret was an avid reader. She traded novels and books with many friends. She loved playing Bejeweled in the computer and enjoyed local gambling trips. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Tom Clark. She is survived by her only child Scott, his wife Denise and grandchildren Amanda and Andrew; her brother Joe Clark, sisters Pat Pigott and Kathy Wilkins and daughter of her heart Jamie, her husband Joe, grandchildren Brandon and BrieAnna Gannon. Mom always felt very blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family surrounding her. A surrogate mother and grandmother to many, she became a true part of so many families. She always said that her "cup runneth over with love." "Has anybody told you that they love you today?" She will be greatly missed by her family and many life-long friends. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association. Please join us for a memorial celebration on Monday, February 18, 7:00 p.m. at St. Charles Borromeo, 7112 South 12th Street, Tacoma. Thank you for adding your favorite story or comments about our beloved Margaret.