Obituary: SKINNER, JULIA

Julia Magdalena Skinner 1915-2013Our much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on May 16, in Sandy, Utah, after a brief illness. She was two months shy of her 98th birthday.Julia (Julie to her friends) was born on July 12 to Heinrich and Fredricka Schunk in New York, N.Y. She was always a New Yorker at heart and loved to talk about the City with those of her children and grandchildren who had visited or lived there.From her German parents, Julia learned the value of hard work, a quality she passed on to her posterity. She worked at many different jobs during her life time, but ultimately as an executive secretary for different organizations including the president of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, Columbia University in NYC and the Department of Institutions in Denver, from which she retired. After her "official" retirement, Julia could not stand to be idle, and enjoyed various part-time employments, especially Beehive Clothing in West Jordanwhere she worked until age 94.The greatest love of Julia's life was her husband and eternal companion, Charles. They met when both worked for 3M in NYC, married, and moved to Colorado after WWII. Charles died in 1965, leaving Julia a widow and single mother for 48 years. She was anxious to be reunited with him, and did not fear death. Her other great love was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved to hear the "news" about each one. She was very generous to all family members and delighted in buying and sewing clothes for the grandchildren and great grandchildren.Julia was a committed member of the LDS Church from the time that she and Charles were baptized in Colorado. She served in various callings, but especially enjoyed being a ward organist, Denver Temple organist, Relief Society President, and ordinance worker in the Denver and Jordan River Temples. She possessed many talents and enjoyed many hobbies, was an avid reader, accomplished pianist, organist, knitter, theatre-goer, and seamstress. She made her daughter's wedding dress. She got her first computer when she was in her 90s and relished getting e-mails and information from family and friends. She was not going to let the world pass her by. She highly valued education and encouraged each family member to pursue learning at every level.Julia is survived by her daughter Amanda (Jack) and son Andrew (Janet), 11 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, daughter Lona-Marie, her sister Marie, and many other dear relatives and friends.A viewing will be held Thursday, May 23, from 9:30-10:30 am, with funeral services to follow at 11 am, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah. Interment will follow at the same location. Online condolences may be made at www.larkincares.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the LDS Church General Missionary Fund.