Mary Menasco Skinner

Mary Elizabeth Skinner, 81, of Houston, TX passed away Sunday, July 23, 2023, after a long and valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Helena, Arkansas on January 26, 1942. At the age of 18, upon graduation from Bellaire High School, Mary eloped with Skip Skinner on July 2, 1960. They lived in Bryan/College Station, TX while Skip attended Texas A&M College. After which they moved to San Antonio for a short time before moving to Houston, TX where they lived the remainder of their lives. Mary was a very talented seamstress. She made beautiful dresses for her girls when they were young, costumes for school plays and many of her own dresses for years. She was a great cook and gifted cake decorator, making homemade cakes for birthdays, holidays and Little League Baseball Team parties. She loved to crochet, creating beautiful, warm afghan blankets for loved ones throughout her life. Mary worked at the Briarwood School for children with learning differences and learning disabilities for 32 years (1982 to 2014) serving as Secretary to the Administrator. She was the welcoming face of Briarwood; Mary was the first person to greet all students and families with a warm and kind smile. Mary’s family was always her priority from assisting Skip with various business ventures to serving as neighborhood taxi driver and Team Mom. She taught all of her children how to cook, bake pies and do several craft projects. She also served on the Memorial Ashford Little League Board of Directors for several years. Mary is survived by Daughters: Dawn Skinner, Sherri Erdem Scheliga and husband Tom, and Son: Bobby Skinner and wife Tricia. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Nicole Erdem, Tyler Skinner, Jacob Skinner and Colton Skinner. She is also survived by Brother: Bill Menasco and wife Judy, and Sisters: Francis E. Braun and Cindy Croal. Mary was preceded in death by her Husband, Roy “Skip” Skinner, and Parents, Earl and Francis Menasco. Services will be held at the Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079 (www.dettlingfuneral.com) on August 5, 2023, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the Family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

Mary Menasco Skinner

January 26, 1942 - July 23, 2023