Stacey SKALKO

Surrounded by love; with her family by her side, Stacey passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at the Hamilton General Hospital. Precious daughter of Dennis and Shoana (nee Davidson) (Huntsville Ontario); beloved sister of Spencer (Emily) Cambridge Ontario. She is survived and loved by her grandmother Mary Davidson, aunts Marian (Dave) Warrington and Leslie (Morley) Stanek, and her cousins.
Stacey had a zest for life, that included an insatiable thirst for knowledge and education. Her big heart led her to have a deep empathy for the disenfranchised.
At 16 years she was honoured to be chosen to attend an International Youth Conference, at Pearson College on the Pacific(PSYL) on Victoria Island B.C. In 2018 she was able to go back and re-connect with many of the Alumnists. In 2019 she attended a Changemaker conference in Magog Quebec. When she returned home she was ecstatic to be involved with such a wonderful dynamic group of young men and women. She was also a gifted public speaker, writer and poet.
Stacey enjoyed many family trips with Spencer snowboarding in Stowe, and Mt. St. Louis, beautiful vacations in sunny destinations, family camping and our summers in Muskoka. At an early age Stacey struggled with Crohn's disease, enduring multiple operations, then with the demons of mental illness.
We would like to thank her Aunt Marian for her compassion and kindness and friendship to Stacey. We also want to thank Rich and Peggy Belitski, Tom and Cathy Nunn (Huntsville) Anne-Marie Hines and Rose Campbell for their love and support through the years. We also want to thank her friends Isaiah, Alise,
Calvin, Brittany, and Hillary for their enduring friendships; which she cherished dearly. You all brought so much love and a sense of belonging to Stacey. Thank you to EMS and the trauma support team, the caring staff of 6 South and ICU East. Thank you especially to Dr. Freitag and his team. Bless you Avalon! To Ty and McKenna we will carry you in our hearts. We would like to thank Dr Fudge and his team and Dr. J. Vanderveen, and Lindsey, Hamilton Program for Schizophrenia for their kindness and compassion to Stacey and our family over the years. We would also like to thank the faculty of Social Work McMaster University, where Stacey was a student; Student Success Centre, Tina Horton (retired) for giving Stacey guidance and Dr. Dick Day (retired) for giving Stacey a voice.
If you would like to make a donation in Stacey's memory, please consider:
Indwell
1430 Main Street East
Hamilton. Ontario, L8K 1C3
Phone: 905-529-0454 or through canadahelps.org

Indwell is a Christian charity helping the vulnerable and disenfranchised seeking health, wellness and belonging.

"Weeping Willow" By Stacey Skalko

Swaying in the wind
Down a long forgotten path
Weeping silently without a sound
The tears flow down coming deep from within
Living, breathing, basking in what is left of the days sun
Providing shelter, strong, sturdy, yet gentle.
The roots are overgrown, twisted and tangled searching for nourishment.
Providing protection for the lost ones
Those who have fallen off the beaten path
Down on their luck and having little hope.
Yet count my rings
I am as wise as they come
I have withstood many storms,
And yet I stand tall, strong, yet graceful.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be left at www.dermodys.com

Rest now sweet Stacey, safe and loved in the arms of God.