Passed Away On: 2017-02-01 00:00:00
HELEN GENEVIEVE SKINNER
Helen Genevieve Vennes Skinner was born October 12, 1919 on the family farm in Halstad, Minnesota. She died February 1, 2017, surrounded by family in Hollister, California. Helen is survived by her two children, John Jr. of Palo Alto. and Margaret of Oakland. She was the proud grandmother of three grandchildren: Kailyn Margaret McCord, NathanielZane Skinner and John Morgan McCord.
Helen left Halstad in 1938 to attend the School of Nursing at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. After graduating in 1941, she joined the 45th General Hospital and served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II in England, North Africa and Italy from 1942 to 1946. Helen returned to the United States after the war and married John Pershing Skinner who had also served in the Army overseas during the war. The wedding was in Berkeley, California on December 22, 1945. Helen and John were then stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where Margaret was born in February, 1947. Helen traveled with Margaret to Japan in February 1949 to be with her husband who was stationed in Korea and served in the Korean War. After returning to the United States, while stationed in Chicago, John and Helen's son, John Pershing Skinner Jr., was born October 29, 1952.
Helen and John Skinner eventually left the Army and settled in San Jose, California in 1954 where Helen worked as Pediatric head nurse at San Jose Hospital and with a Pediatric private practice. Helen earned her B.S and teaching credential and taught Nursing at San Jose City College. She ended her career working as Director of Volunteers at San Jose Hospital for eight years before retiring in 1982. Helen and John moved to Ridgemark to retire in 1983.
Helen enjoyed playing golf and bridge all her life. She looked to a variety of hobbies, music, reading and socializing with several groups of friends, including her P.E.O. Sisters. All of these activities fed her soul as did her volunteer work at Hazel Hawkins Hospital and Hospice during retirement. Helen was an active member of the First Congregational Church of San Jose and the First Presbyterian Church of Hollister.
A memorial service will be held to honor Helen Skinner's life at the First Presbyterian Church, Christ's Fellowship, 2066 San Benito St. in Hollister on March 11, 2017 at 11am. Everyone is welcome. Donations can be made to P.E.O. at PEO Foundation(Dreams the Future) CH. WX-CA, 252 Donald Dr. Hollister, CA 95023