Jody Ann Starr

Jody Ann Starr was born Jody Ann Skopinski on October 8, 1947, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her father Frank Skopinski and mother Joan Skopinski were always on their toes with Jody and her brother Skip. When they were young they moved to Dearborn, Michigan. Jody loved baseball and wanted to play (no girls allowed at the time), and so she faithfully followed her brother around to all the Detroit Tigers baseball games, but maintained an affinity for the Chicago Cubs. At Edsel Ford High School, Jody was a National Merit Scholar and was very proud of this fact. Her family moved again her Senior year of High School to Greendale, Wisconsin. She graduated and began attending the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. Her life took a different path when she was accepted as a Stewardess for United Airlines.
She met and married. Due to a company policy she had to resign as a Stewardess once she got married. She had two children Toby and Brett Powell. In 1980, she divorced and headed to California for a job and new opportunities. Although it was tough financially, Jody worked hard to support her two boys. At one point, working 3 jobs. Then she met Paul Starr. Paul was the love of her life and completed her in every way. They married on May 22, 1987. At that same time, a lawsuit that was filed on behalf of former Flight Attendants came to an end. Every Flight Attendant that wanted to go back to work that previously had to quit because of marriage was given the opportunity to return. Jody jumped at the opportunity and passed all of her training. She returned to United Airlines and worked until she retired. She flew mainly International and loved her opportunity for new places and experiences. Jody lost her husband Paul on April 26, 2015. She never stopped missing him. She continued living in the Orange County area until June of 2025 when she moved to Redding, California to be near her son Toby. Jody got to see her grandson's swim meets, attend plays, go to church, and be the Diva she has always been. On October 9, 2025 she passed away with her family by her side and was able to say her goodbyes to her family. Jody is now at peace and is with Paul again.