Lilly "Rita" Maeritis Skibinski, age 77 of Monroe, passed away quietly on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the Monroe Clinic Hospital after a long fight with COPD. She is survived by her husband, Howard Skibinski of Monroe; two children, Barbara Schultz (Stephen) of Madison, and Larry Lewis (Ann) of Alvarado, TX; five grandchildren, Stephanie White (Jabin), Jennifer Schultz, Matthew Lewis (Cynthia), Nathaniel Lewis, and Phillip Lewis; and a great-grandson, Cody Lewis. Rita is also survived by three siblings, Ruth Caudle and Ella Rae Russell of Idaho and Barbara Smithey of Wisconsin.
Rita was born on September 21, 1931 to Simon and Leah Richards in Adair, OK. Rita and Howard were married on October 4, 1968 and moved to Monroe in 1985.
She was a seamstress and operated the Sewing Cellar in Monroe for many years developing close friendships with many of her customers. Rita's main passion in life was her family especially her grandchildren. She was very proud of her Cherokee Native American heritage. She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her roses, cooking, and playing cards and dominos.
Rita had a strong belief in God's word, the Bible. As she fought her COPD, the Bible's teaching of a resurrection to a cleansed earth gave her comfort. Her family will deeply miss her laughter, her wit, and her love. Her family has full confidence that the Almighty God, Jehovah, will remember her and bring her back to life with a healthy body in the resurrection to a cleansed earth as promised in John 11:25.
A visitation will be held at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by a private family memorial service with Brian Highshaw officiating.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Rita was born on September 21, 1931 to Simon and Leah Richards in Adair, OK. Rita and Howard were married on October 4, 1968 and moved to Monroe in 1985.
She was a seamstress and operated the Sewing Cellar in Monroe for many years developing close friendships with many of her customers. Rita's main passion in life was her family especially her grandchildren. She was very proud of her Cherokee Native American heritage. She also enjoyed gardening, tending to her roses, cooking, and playing cards and dominos.
Rita had a strong belief in God's word, the Bible. As she fought her COPD, the Bible's teaching of a resurrection to a cleansed earth gave her comfort. Her family will deeply miss her laughter, her wit, and her love. Her family has full confidence that the Almighty God, Jehovah, will remember her and bring her back to life with a healthy body in the resurrection to a cleansed earth as promised in John 11:25.
A visitation will be held at the NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by a private family memorial service with Brian Highshaw officiating.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net