Barbara Jean Skinner

Barbara Jean Skinner died at her home in Port Ludlow, Washington, on December 20, 2019. Barb had battled brain cancer for 7 months with her characteristic courage and tenacity. Barb was born November 29, 1948, in Hudson, Michigan, where she began what became a consistent pattern of helping others and doing well. Barb proudly tells the story of raising “Pig” to win a ribbon at the fair without realizing “Pig” would be sold for pork chops. That put an end to her livestock raising career! Barb won a DAR scholarship to attend Michigan State University where she majored in elementary education, earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Throughout her teaching career she not only taught students, but also mentored fellow teachers and student teachers. She collaborated with university professors in reading research projects, the results of which influenced teaching practices nationwide. Over the years she received numerous awards including: the Michigan State University Distinguished Alumna Award from the College of Education and the Okemos Education Foundation Commitment to Excellence award among many other recognitions for her dedication to her profession. She was most proud of helping her school win two Golden Apple Awards for Outstanding Achievement. When not teaching, Barb loved to develop new gardens and in their last Okemos home, Barb, with her husband, Gil, created a garden that had over 500 visitors in a year and was a regular stop for the local community college’s landscape architecture class. For several years, Barb and Gil spent winters in Victoria, British Columbia, where Barb volunteered in the gardens of the Lieutenant Governor’s House. Following retirement, Barb and Gil moved to their “paradise” Port Ludlow, Washington. Barb quickly became involved with the Port Ludlow Garden Club, soon being named president. Over her tenure the Garden Club greatly increased membership and expanded programming. She was recruited to join the Port Ludlow Performing Arts Board with primary responsibility for program outreach to area schools. As president of PLPA, she led the work with the South Bay Community Association in updating and improving the Club’s auditorium by installing better lighting, an improved sound system and tv monitors in the auditorium. Barb also found time to volunteer as a math tutor in the Chimacum Schools. Barb was seen as a “force of nature”, dedicated to excellence in teaching, supporting her students and colleagues, in building and enhancing organizations, and creating beautifully landscaped gardens. Her smile could light up a room and her unending sense of curiosity and innocence made her the teacher she became. Barb was well-loved and will be greatly missed by many, but most of all by her “Gibby”. Barb was preceded in death by her mother, Jean, and her sister, Sue. She is survived by her loving husband, Gil, her stepsons, Kelly Michael (Nicki) Skinner and her grandchildren, Jamie Lynn and Hudson, of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kurt Arthur (Lisa) Skinner and her grandchildren Declan, Liam, Sydney, and Ciaran of Montgomery, OH. She is also survived by her father, James Burtis Bowman, and her siblings Steve, Mitch, Cynthia, and Johnny as well as several nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be sent in honor of Barb to: Tri Area Food Bank (Jefferson County WA), Port Ludlow Performing Arts, Michigan State University College of Education, Okemos (MI) Education Foundation, or an organization of your choice. A Memorial service will be held at a later time.