Barbara Skinner

Barbara A. Skinner, 88, passed away on Monday April 6 at Akron City Hospital as the sun was shining in her room and the Mills Brothers were singing to her. Her passing was peaceful with her family at her side and we know she is with her beloved husband once again. Mom was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of 42 years, Joseph N. Skinner, Sr., a sailor she met as a WWII pen pal; her parents, Regis B. Collins, Sr. and Dorothy Shea Collins; her siblings, Rex B. Collins, Jr. and Alice D. Jenkins. She is survived by her six children and their spouses and families: Joseph N. Skinner, Jr. (Vickie) of Strongsville; Jerry Skinner of Montrose, PA; John Skinner (Debbie Hollier) of Houston, TX; Julie Skinner (Bobbie Cilley) of Center Barnstead, NH; Joanne Bruegman (Chuck Walder) of Stow; and Jenny Skinner of Akron. Grandchildren Janet Barberic (Brian); Brian Skinner (Suzie); Allison Skinner; Shea and Haley Skinner; Blaire Skinner (Sean O'Connor); Cody and Evie Bruegman; great-grandchildren Colin, Ella, Lola, Adam, Nathan Aaron, and Makayla; brother-in-law Arlie Jenkins; sisters-in-law Mary Lou Collins and Geraldine Davis; cousin Nickie Wingert; a large and loving extended family of nieces and nephews. Mom was kind, giving and forgiving, loving and loved. She had no harsh words for others and treated everyone with the same friendliness, warmth and openness - even if they weren't Irish. Her faith and family brought her great joy and sustained her through the trials in her life. She was an avid reader, especially of mystery stories, and enjoyed her time working with her friend Pat Fickes of Fickes Crime Fiction. She enjoyed the daily Akron Beacon Journal, especially the crossword puzzle, and the colors of the maple trees in the fall. We would like to thank other important people in mom's life for walking by her side for nearly 70 years, 'The Moms' Club': Mary Kalgreen, Patty Goodall, Millie Poppenhouse, Mary Patrick, Mary Royer, Pat Dye and the late Pat Fickes. This group met as Theta Phi Alpha sorority sisters and stayed together through young marriages, child rearing, illness, and tragedies in their lives. And they laughed like crazy at every opportunity. The family will receive friends Wednesday 4-7 pm at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday 10:30 am at St. Paul Catholic Church, 1580 Brown Street. Inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery. For those who wish, memorial donations in mom's name may be made to The Village at St. Edward's Foundation, 3131 Smith Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333; or St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, 15 North Maple St. Akron, Ohio 44303 'The Lynch Family Scholarship Fund'