Doris M. Skeath

February 21, 2013

Doris M. Skeath, a woman loved by her family and friends, a woman who enjoyed what life had to offer, passed away Thursday at Weatherwood Nursing Home, Weatherly, after a long illness.

Doris Fortner was born on May 31, 1929, in Mahanoy City, the second of two children. She spent a happy childhood along with her brother, Jim, with whom she remained close. As a teenager, many happy times were spent at the Lakeside Ballroom. Doris was in love and dating her future husband who played trumpet in an orchestra there.

She graduated from Mahanoy City High School, after which she traveled to Philadelphia to become an X-ray technician. She studied and worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Then true love called her back to this area. On Nov. 22, 1951, Doris and Robert Skeath were married in St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church, Mahanoy City. After several years spent together, two beautiful children came to them. First a son, Frederick, who is named for grandfather Oscar Frederick, then a daughter, Sally. Young Fred helped his parents with baby names, suggesting naming his sister after local celebrity, Sally Starr.

Doris remained active in her community through the Hometown Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and Eastern Star. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star Pilgrim Chapter 137, where she held several offices including chaplain and secretary. She also earned her Star point and 50-year pin.

She worked at the Beacon Diner for many years, greeting customers and tending the cash register. After her children were grown, she enjoyed being a caregiver to young children during the day. She derived great pleasure from this and always spoke with great pride about the children she cared for, continuing to keep in touch after the children had grown.

Later in life, she enjoyed being a grandmother, socializing with friends, was fond of Tamaqua Seniors Bingo and donned her red hat as a member of the Ruby Red Royal Court Red Hat Society. In her late 70s, she had the chance to fly for the first time in her life. Along with friends, she jetted to Florida for a girls week at a friend's home there.

Doris remained strong in her faith and worshipped at Christ UCC Church, Rush Township, known as "The White Church," which she spoke of lovingly.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her mother, Jennie Fortner; and brother, James Fortner.

Doris is survived by a son, Frederick Skeath and wife, Lori, Wapwallopen; a daughter, Sally Wolfe and husband, Tim, Moore Township; grandchildren, Michael and Alicia Skeath, Logan and Nathaniel Wolfe; nephew, Sean Fortner; nieces, Kathy Thistlewaite and Sherry Jennings; sister-in-law, Jill Fortner, Landing, N.J.; and an aunt, Dorothy Geib, Flagstaff, Ariz.

The family would like to thank Care Alternatives and the Weatherwood staff for their compassion and care during Doris' time of need.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, with the Rev. Janet Kline officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Interment will be in Christ Church Cemetery, Rush Township. Memorial donations may be sent to Christ UCC Church, care of Lamar Christ Funeral Home, 31 Mahanoy Ave., Tamaqua, PA 18252.