Skillin, Joyce E (Gardner), 85, March 10, 2015. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
OAKFIELD & HOULTON – Joyce Elaine (Gardner) Skillin, 85, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on March 10, 2015. She was born September 24, 1929, in Smyrna, the daughter of John and Marguerite (Nickerson) Gardner.
Joyce graduated as salutatorian from Merrill High School and went on to work many jobs over the course of her lifetime, including working in the potato fields of Aroostook County, selling Fuller Brush products, working as a waitress, and also as a private duty CNA. From 1989 to 2009, she spent her winters in Zephyrhills, Florida and she enjoyed being at Mattawamkeag Lake during the summers from the time she was a young girl, all the way to her last summer in 2014. Joyce made many new friends amongst the staff and residents at Madigan Assisted Living apartments during the last six winters that she lived there. She considered herself very fortunate to have traveled extensively and visited all of the 50 States, Canada and Korea. Some of the highlights of her travels were a trip to Hawaii in 2001 with her daughter and a couple trips to Alaska with her husband Kenn on their honeymoon to go salmon fishing and exploring in their RV. She marveled at the beauty of the world around her and taught her children and grandchildren the wonder and appreciation of nature. Joyce was a loving mother and grandmother. She treasured the memories that she made spending time with her children and grandchildren and loved the many adventures that she got to share with all of them.
She is survived by her daughter and best friend, Carol Swallow of Oakfield; three sons, Richard Wilmot and wife, Susan of Houlton, Brian Wilmot and wife, Connie of Tuscon, Arizona, and Steven Wilmot and Mary Roach of New Sweden; daughter-in-law, Lynn Wilmot of Zwolle, Louisiana; ten grandchildren, John and Jim Wilmot, Kendra Lebreton-Gauthier and husband, Chris, Kristen Bailey and husband, Mitch, Jeffrey Swallow and wife, Jasmine, Nathan Swallow and wife, Kayla, Jennifer and Tolsen Wilmot, Jeremy Wilmot and Sarah Bull; 14 great-grandchildren, Katie Wilmot, Alexis, Kallie, and Braedan LeBreton, Kenny Bailey, Rylee Cunningham, Mason and McKinley Swallow, Logan and Jayce Swallow, Bryce and Hayson Bates, Jenasya Baker and Jolea Bull; two sisters, Tia Pence of El Paso, Texas and Iris King of Phoenix, Arizona; a special Aunt Ramona White of Smyrna; a special niece Melissa Kirkwood of Woolwich and dear friend Alida York of Bark River, Michigan. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, Kenn Skillin, youngest son, Mark Wilmot, brother, Gene “Sonny” Gardner and son-in-law, Kenny Swallow.
At her request, there will be no services at this time. A private celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Bowers Funeral Home, Houlton.
