Helen Skelton Obituary

Helen Jean "Mamaw" Skelton

May 24, 1935 - Sep 26, 2022

Sandusky

Helen Jean "Mamaw" Skelton, 87, was called to rest with her Lord and Heavenly Savior on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born May 24, 1935, in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, to Harold R. and Helen M. Walker. She married the love of her life, Donald (who preceded her in death Feb. 17, 2022), in Pennsylvania and moved to Sandusky to raise their family.

Helen's love of the outdoors started early with her involvement in Girl Scouts and continued well into her adult life. That outdoor love transformed into lifelong adventures of traveling to most of our beautiful states, their parks, and riverways. She was an avid backpacker which led her to open an outdoor store in Perkins Twp. in the early 1980's called "Pack and Paddle." Her knowledge came first hand from hiking the Appalachian Trail and she continued to learn with many more hikes and camping trips.

She was a member of First Faith Community Church and a former longtime member of First Baptist Church where she served in many capacities including music director, but especially loved singing in the choir.

Helen worked for Perkins School District for many years in various positions and retired from her final position in the high school library. After retirement, she and Don spent the last 20 years wintering in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, where they were very active in the recreation department.

While enjoying many outside activities, Helen's main love was her family and she loved to rally her chicks around her especially at the holidays. She loved a full house of family and couldn't get enough of her grandchildren.

Never one to sit still, she still rode her bike daily and practiced Tia Chi regularly. She was called the "energizer bunny" by Don in their long 70-year marriage before he passed in February.

She participated and achieved success in Senior Olympics and helped to coordinate the Senior Master Challenge in Erie County. Her achievements helped to gain her a run with the Olympic Flame when it came through the United States.

She will be greatly missed by many, but ESPECIALLY her loving family.

Helen is survived by children, Karen (Glen) Graffice, Timothy (Melanie) Skelton, and Bryan (Jodi) Skelton, all of Sandusky, and Gail (Jay) Allison of Tierra Verde, Florida; grandchildren, Zachary (Brittany) Graffice of Huron, Cody Graffice of Estero, Florida, Kayla (Spencer) Hathaway of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Lindsay (Joseph) Murphy of Pinellas Park, Florida, Tara Weber of Bellingham, Washington, and Nyle Graffice, Shelby Skelton, Sydney Skelton, Lee Skelton, and Joey Taylor, all of Sandusky; and great-grandchildren, Camden Hineline, Colin Graffice, Stratton and Caroline Hathaway, and Emmett Murphy and Oaklee Skelton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sister, Margaret Andrews; brother, Leroy Walker; and sister, Esther Taylor.

Her family will receive friends 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, until the time of Helen's memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Faith Community Church, 225 E. Jefferson St., Sandusky, with the Rev. John A. Apple officiating.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests making contributions in Helen's name to Appalachian Trail Conservancy at appalachiantrail.org on the "In Memory of" tab or to First Faith Community Church, 225 E. Jefferson St., Sandusky, Ohio, 44870.

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Helen's family at davidfkoch.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to David F. Koch Funeral & Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Ave., Sandusky.