Shirley Skeates

Skeates, (nee; North)
LOVING MOTHER, NANA & FRIEND
Shirley Ann 79 of Cottage Grove passed away peacefully Oct.30, 2016 surrounded by loving family. Survived by children, Melanie Tischler, Arthur III (Marie); grandchildren, Melissa, Joseph (Jenna), Kellie; special companion Tom Maskrey, brothers, Michael, David (Ruth), Derek (Trisha), her loving dog, Tobie; many other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by loving husband, Arthur Jr. and parents Albert and Marie. Shirley was born and raised in Beaconsfield England which is located 24 miles WNW of London. She met her husband Arthur after spotting him in his sharp looking American Plymouth car while he was in the USAF and stationed at High Wycombe AFB. Shirley came to the U.S. at age 20 and carried over her English traditions of gardening and drinking tea. She retired from School District 833 after 30+ years of service. Shirley loved to travel, attend Twins games with her son, and took so much pride in her lovely gardens & flowers. Her family was most important to her and she loved being with them on birthdays and holidays. She was the family caregiver making sure everyone was fed well as she loved to cook. Shirley was a past member of Transatlantic Brides Club and enjoyed meeting with other British brides. She was a fast pitch softball coach for several of her daughter's teams. She enjoyed going to car shows with her husband and the past several years drove around proudly in her sporty red Monte Carlo SS. She was proud to be a British citizen but equally proud of the USA and often flew the U.S. flag at her home where she resided for 58 years. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Memorial service 4 pm, Monday, Nov. 7 at St. Luke Lutheran Church (7000 Hinton Ave. S., Cottage Grove) visitation starting at 2pm. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred.