Opal Olivia Skilling

Words cannot express what a Gem Opal was.
OTEU Local 15 (378) was her pride and joy.
We have Opal to thank for many of the benefits the members enjoy to this day, in particular the Pension Plan. I still remember attending many union meetings where Opal tried to get us to understand the value of a Pension Plan, but at that time being young most of us could not see past taking an increase in wages. Opal persisted because she believed in a better future for all of the members and we...

Opal was my mentor and my role model. When I moved to Vancouver from Alberta and married Douglas she showed me what women had to do to make life better for themselves. What an education! Both Doug & I learned so much from her. She will always be in our thouths and always missed. Thank you dear dear friend.

I have always appreciated Opal for her mentorship of me when I went to work for CU&C Health Services in 1959 while still in my teens. From encouraging me to become a shop steward, a member of the Exec. of Local 15, a delegate to the VDLC, a member of the negotiating committee for CU&C and later for the trade union sector of Local 15 when I worked for the Painters' Union, she encouraged my life-long interest in and support for the trade union movement and political action. She was such a gift...

Thank you Opal for all your union help while CUC was still in business.
My sympathies go out to all her family.

I met Opal a few years back and thought to myself what a woman, kind,loving, funny and I loved to listen to her stories.Rest In Peace.

Opal was an extremely important part of my working life, and influenced many of us. She helped to pave the way for many members of Local 15 (378). Rest in Peace Opal, you will be missed.

Thank you Opal for your hard work. Rest in Peace.

Thank you Opal for your pioneering of the way for the rest of us. May you rest in peace.