Doris M. Skeath

Doris M. Skeath, a woman loved by her family and friends, a woman who enjoyed what life had to offer, passed away on Feb. 21, 2013, 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 Order of the Eastern Star. She belonged to 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 70's, 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 United Church of Christ, Rush Township, known as "The White Church", which she spoke of lovingly.
Doris is survived by son, Frederick Skeath and wife, Lori of Wapwallopen; daughter, Sally Wolfe and husband, Tim of Moore Township; grandchildren: Michael and Alicia Skeath; Logan, and Nathaniel Wolfe; nephew, Sean Fortner; nieces, Kathy Thistlewaite and Sherry Jennings and a sister-in-law, Jill Fortner of Landing, N.J. and Aunt Dorothy Geib of Flagstaff, AZ. Doris is preceded in death by husband, Robert, mother, Jennie Fortner and brother, James Fortner.
The family would like to thank Care Alternatives and the Weatherwood staff for their compassion and care during Doris' time of need.
Services: Funeral services to be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at the Lamar Christ Funeral Home, Hometown, with the Rev. Janet Kline, officiating; visitations 9:30 a.m. Monday until the time of the service. Interment at Christ UCC Church, Rush Township. Memorial donations may be sent to Christ UCC Church, care of Lamar Christ Funeral Home, 31 Mahanoy Ave., Tamaqua, 18252.
"How sweet will heaven be when our journey is ended."