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Shirley G. Skeen (Conn)
Born: 1/21/1937
Died: 12/24/2018
Age: 81
Community: Fenton, MI
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In Loving Memory of Shirley G. (Conn) Skeen
0n behalf of my brother, Ronald (58), Ann Arbor, MI, sister, Kathleen (57), Fenton, MI, we express great sorrow of the untimely death of our mother, Shirley Gail Skeen, on Christmas Eve, 2018. She was born on Jan. 21, 1937, a devoted and humble daughter of Harvey Benjamin Clark, (GM Fisher 1 Sit-Down Striker) and Gail Madeline Houck (A Rosie Riveter, GM AC Delco) of Flint, MI. A family tradition was Sunday drives packing up the family, lunch and touring, visiting friends and family along the way. As many GM families did in mid MI, they had a 2nd residence/property Up North. Clark’s had each family member taking part in building “The Cottage” on the east shore in the center of Secord Lake, in Gladwin, MI. Moms job was a block layer. Shirley graduated from Beecher High School 1955, worked at Hutchinson Pharmacy in Flint throughout school and came home on weekends while attending Ferris State Univ. (Institute) Shirley graduated with honors as a Registered Pharmacist in 1959, first and only in her family to graduate college. Mom was a very active member and held various offices including President of her sorority, Lambda Kappa Sigma, making lifelong friendships. She married Ronald Conn (1936), also Registered Pharmacist after their graduation in July 1959 and moved to Fenton, MI. Mom maintained a Dream Book of ideas and designs for years and in 1975, her design ideas became our home. In Clark family tradition, she contracted her cousin Bill Clark, to build it on Tipsico Lake Road, in Tyrone Township, MI, in Fenton School District. Mom was as a Registered Pharmacist for over 30 years, majority at Flint Osteopathic Hospital (F.O.H.) and as Director of Pharmacy. In 1983, she divorced our dad and made a life change moving to Brunswick, Georgia, then settling in Savannah. On a blind date in 1987, she met Frederick T. Skeen. Fred was passing through in his RV to see an old friend, Rachel from SCAD during his annual pilgrimage to Pensacola. Six weeks later, mom flew to SFO, met the family and friends, returned to GA, packed up, sold her home on Wilmington Island, GA and married Fred in Lake Tahoe, CA, Dec 22, 1987. He asked her to retire and travel, she was thrilled! Their home resided in Novato, Marin Co., CA. A perfect proximity to the city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Point Reyes Station, Sausalito, 100 Historic Coastal Ranches, Hwy 101 to stunning Sonoma County Wine Country. The marriage expanded her/our family size, 10 fold in numbers, love and laughter. Fred, 16 years her senior, had 5 children, eldest son, USAF Capt. Michael Skeen, Special Operations, killed in the action, (surviving widow, Barbara)/(Charlie Ward), daughter Kristine Skeen/(Steven Brackett), 4 surviving children, with equally amazing spouses from his first marriage. Kathy/(Scott Boyle), Thomas/(Autumn) Skeen, Dan/(Deb) Skeen and Mary Skeen. Mom became an instant grandmother of 13!! Years and many marriages later another generation, great grandmother of 15, cousins and endless numbers of family friends and neighbors.
The CA family names include several generations of Skeen, Boyle, Ward, Brackett, Broshaus and Jacobus and Skeen Hill. Dear friends were Charlotte Behr preceding her in death, Bonnie, Janet and Norm Hansen, and several families on Shady Lane and her Ladies Starbucks Coffee Club. During moms 28 years of marriage, to a military man with a plan, they traveled 6 months of the year, April-Oct. Upon returning home they began planning their next trip! Mom and Fred traveled side roads through all 48 continental United States (yes, 3 summers of driving to and from Alaska, ferries and planes, and also flew and toured each Hawaiian Island) finishing all 50 States! Once the US was completed, they toured all Canadian Provinces. Sadly, mom became a widow on Aug. 22, 2015. They traveled in RVs for 27 years! She lived well, had a good life, traveling was one of her dreams and enjoyed her time on the road as Fred’s navigator!
Our mother was the middle child of 3, her surviving brother Harvey Duane Clark, (1936), (divorced, Carolyn Clark Welden), 3 loving nephews Brent (Mary), Dean (Darcy) and Brad. Their combined children (8) and Grandchildren (5).
Mom was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Skeen Aug 2015, by her parents, her brother-in-law Robert Conn (Marie) of Ann Arbor, May 2006, father of her children, Ronald Conn, June 2011, brother Neil Sydney Clark, Aug 2014, (wife of Neil, Ann Sanborn, 1994) their surviving loving nieces and nephews Cindy Clark and Johnny Sanborn, of Harrison, Tina Fendt and James Clark of Fenton. Also preceded in death were Shirley’s great nephew, Chad Clark, at age 27, 2012 and step nephew Tom Bidelmen, age 18, 2008, and Fred’s grandson Anton Skeen, age 4. Parents Thomas and Autumn Skeen, fought hard to strengthen NHTSA Regulations in Automotive Child Booster Seats, creating Anton’s Law.
Shirley leaves behind three children, Ronald (Ron), Kathleen (Kay), Patricia (Patty), four grandchildren, Kimberly Conn of Ann Arbor, Ronald Conn, III of Detroit, Samantha Conn of Topeka, KS, children of Ronald; Katelyn Farnsworth, of Detroit, daughter of Kathleen Conn of Fenton. Extended Conn family: two loving nephews by Robert/Marie Conn; Robert (Cindy) Conn III, Jerome, MI, and Richard Conn, Saline, MI, and several great and great, great, nieces/nephews. Additional family names in MI and TX; Clark, Brinker, McNeill, Dodd, Nowak, Parrish, Peck and Zwegers.
Our mother had a brilliant mind, whom saw joy when managing projects, events and tasks. When it came to playing cards and dominos she was a gifted player and winner!!! Mom enjoyed her friends and cousins, attending events and playing games with her “Ladies in the ‘hood.” A large group of amazing people that welcomed mom from the moment she moved back to MI in 2015. Thank you all for making her a part of the Harbor Landings Community. Our love of playing games came from mom, the Clark side of the family. She was a kind, and gracious winner which she did often! Mom was very spontaneous, drop and go, and go with the flow soul which we believe kept her young at heart and mind strong. For many whom met or knew her, she left a lasting memory of kindness, especially to our generations of friends, letting us know how much she enjoyed your hospitality, pleasure of your company, how special you were/are and how grateful she was to have met and known you. Her appreciation may have come in a form of a smile, a note, post card or gift from her travels. It was her way of letting you know you were appreciated and loved!!
A private Memorial, Shirley’s Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Invitations and notices will be sent including a video link.
On behalf of the Conn and our extended family and friends, thank you for being a part of my mother’s life! She is reunited, surrounded in love and joy of those whom have been waiting for her to arrive. Your loving daughter, Patricia Conn (56), Linden, MI.
Your condolences may be shared with the family at swartzfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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1/4/2019 |
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| Nothing at Swartz Funeral Home |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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