HOLY RESURRECTION ORTHODOX CHURCH

Lorraine Mae Skoby, 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on January 24, 2023, at Sullivan County Health Care.

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Lorraine was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, of Gladys and Joseph Asselin on December 29, 1929. She graduated from Springfield High School and married Victor Skoby, the love of her life, in 1948. Her first and favorite job was as Executive Secretary at Jones and Lamson in Springfield, Vermont. She worked there for five years, at which point the couple decided to start their family, ultimately raising four children.

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Lorraine’s passions, first and foremost, centered on her family. She was a self-taught seamstress, sewing all of her children’s clothing, including fitted suits, jumpers, and even jackets. Self-taught in the kitchen as well, she quickly gained a reputation for making, among many things, the best pies, breads, and spaghetti and meatballs, all from scratch. Her Sunday meals and cookouts were ‘showstoppers’ and not to be missed. Hosting such family gatherings was a labor of love. Eating was pure joy for Lorraine. Rarely was food left on her plate, and she always had room for a hefty helping of dessert. Years later she would spend hours contentedly pouring through cookbooks, reliving this joy.

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Additionally, annual excursions to Hampton Beach, summer cottage rentals, and other family outings meant the world to her. She lit up whenever surrounded by her family. She was especially adept at delivering comedic ‘zingers’ and sarcastic remarks when least expected, delighting all. Her belly-laugh alone was infectious to those around her. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Boston Celtics. One time she even flipped over backwards in her rocker when her idol John Havlicek ‘stole the ball’ in a playoff game, and the Celtics won. Tom Brady stole her heart as well. Lorraine had a green thumb with plants, loved and shared her home with many cats and dogs throughout her lifetime, and in later years enjoyed traveling to such places as New Zealand, Alaska, Cancun, New York City, and London. Upon their children ‘leaving the nest’, Lorraine and Vic cherished time together, taking rides to wherever the road took them.

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Lorraine’s passion for cooking led her to a career in various Food Service positions as head cook. Especially dear to her heart was her position at the ABC (A Better Chance) House. Her warmth and compassion fostered a ‘maternal presence’ to the adolescent boys, who loved her dearly. At one point Lorraine tackled three jobs simultaneously. Her children are forever grateful for her tireless efforts that enabled college to become a reality.

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The last five years of her life were spent at Sullivan County Home where she received the ultimate compassionate loving care.  She never stopped missing her beloved home, but those golden memories sustained her. Family will be forever grateful to staff for making her last years so special.

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Lorraine leaves behind her son Stephen and three daughters Deborah, Susan, and Linda. Her four grandchildren and two great grandchildren were the light of Nanny’s life. She was pre-deceased by her husband Victor and sister Shirley. 

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Victor Michael Skoby, 56, died at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH, on January 16, 1982, after a brief illness. He was born on December 26, 1926, in Claremont; the son of Michael and Helen (Odorska) Skoby.

He was a lifelong resident of Claremont and a parishioner of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church. A graduate of the Bentley School of Accounting, he was employed for thirty years by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Windsor, VT. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army. He was a former treasurer of the Junior Sports League Building.

He married Lorraine Asselin in Burlington, VT, on August 25, 1950.

He is survived by his wife; a son Stephen V. Skoby of Birmingham, MI; three daughters: Deborah J. Skoby of Lebanon, NH, Susan H. Skoby of Providence, RI, and Linda Anne Skoby of Claremont; a brother Nicholas Skoby of Manchester, NH; five sisters: Sonia Skoby of Claremont, Mary Skoby of Belmont, MS, Wand Critchett and her husband Albert of North Bridgton, ME, Ann Murphy and her husband Edward of West Quincy, MA, and Eve Geniesse and her husband Donald of West Chester, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery.

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Memory Eternal to Victor and Lorraine!