LEVINA ETHEL (VINNIE) SKINNER

Nov 07, 2007

March 1, 1920 - October 27, 2007

On October 27, 2007, Levina Ethel Skinner passed away at The Pines in Bracebridge. She faced her long-term health problems with courage, an indomitable spirit and a determination to recover and get back to work.

Levina was born March 1, 1920 in Bracebridge. She grew up on the family farm at Glenholme in Draper Township with her parents John Henry White and Emily May Matchett. She was the oldest sister in a family of 12 and was given the nickname “Vinnie” by her younger brothers. Twin brothers Arthur and Aubrey and her sister Myrtle Jenkins survive her. Brothers Albert, Rodney, Ivan, Hubert, Wilbert and George and sisters Dora Jenkins and Marie Henderson predeceased her.

Levina married Harold Storry Skinner November 4, 1942 at St. Peter’s Rocksborough. They resided at Duck Lake, Skinners Road and Kirk Line East until Harold’s death on June 11, 1988. They are survived by four children: Margaret (Ray Hummel) of Victoria, B.C.; Grace (Bill Taylor) of Bracebridge; Allen (Janice Duff) of Magnetawan; and Bryan (Chris Gillespie) of Bracebridge. Her grandchildren Michelle Koski, Joel and Leah Taylor, Jeralyn Skinner, Alayne (Andre) Brisson and Jim Gillespie will miss her and remember fondly times they spent together. She loved to entertain her great-grandchildren Austin, Thorson and Anna. After Harold’s death Levina made her home at 63 Beaumont Drive and with the support of her family remained there until she entered residential care.

Rev. Kelly Baetz and Rev. Barbara Graham at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Bracebridge conducted the funeral on October 31, 2007, with internment at St. Thomas Anglican Cemetery. Beth Van Assche and Ray White read tributes. Pallbearers were nieces Marilyn Skinner and Debbie LaLonde and nephews Frank White, Sam Skinner, Ken Skinner and Brian Langlois. Clarence Taylor and Bill White were honorary pallbearers.

Friends and family will remember Vinnie’s hospitality. She enjoyed gathering people together, for a well-laden table or just a cup of tea. During her years on the farm, she and Harold welcomed everyone whether for an hour’s visit or an extended stay. Their kitchen always had room for one more to pull up a chair. Her greatest pleasure was a “good day’s work, well done.”

On Kirk Line East, she worked side by side with Harold, farming together for 40 years. In the 1960s she went to work at Erma’s Restaurant on Manitoba Street. Her sense of humour and kindness generated much laughter and lasting friendships. For years after she left work there, she met people who recalled favourite treats — date squares, pies, thick toast and, of course, butter tarts — with the filling made just the way you like it. There was always a “broken” tart for Harold when he came to pick her up.

When Vinnie and Harold moved from the farm to the “house on the hill” on Kirk Line East, she found that at last there was time and space to do more quilting. A celebration at the Centennial Centre in 2004 gathered over 100 of her quilts. She was overwhelmed to see a life’s work displayed on every wall.

She continued to make quilts until 2006 when her failing vision forced her to switch to crocheting in order to have some work to do. Some of us are lucky enough to own one of her quilts. We treasure them for the sense of colour and design that makes each one an original treasure and a lasting keepsake.

Levina learned at an early age to enjoy working together with others, but her enduring legacy will be her ability to connect with others, enjoy their company and make each one feel special. Everyone who knew her smiles when saying her name.