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