Patricia A. Skinner

Patricia A Skinner, 73, of 701 Birch Drive, Meadville, died Wednesday April 15, 2009, at Wesbury United Methodist Community of complications of vascular dementia.  She had been a resident of Clawson Memory Support Center, Wesbury, since March of 2008.

She was born Patricia Ann Blankenship, at Portland, OR, on December 30, 1935, the eldest child of Nolan Ilo and Gracia Glee Schmitz Blankenship.

She was married to Gilbert E. Richardson of Milwaukie, OR in 1956.  The marriage ended in divorce.  On March 30, 1977, she was married to Don C. Skinner.  He survives.

She is also survived by four sons, from her first marriage, with their spouses and children:  B. Scott Richardson and wife, Sheri, and daughters Tristen and Christina of Beavercreek, OR; Michael K. Richardson and wife Linda, and sons Matthew and Aaron of Portland, OR; Patrick D. Richardson and wife Laura and daughters Anna, Emily, and Katie of Beaverton, OR; and Daniel J. Richardson and wife Deborah and sons Christopher, Erik, Noah, and Ryan of Conneaut Lake, PA.  Also surviving are a step-son, Stephen C. Skinner and wife Heather Munro of Minneapolis, MN; step-daughter, Deborah R. Downer and husband Richard, daughter, Ashleigh, and son, Tre of Palmdale, CA, a brother, Richard D. Blankenship of Gresham, OR, and a sister, Jane E. Sheets of Happy Valley, OR.

She was a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Meadville.

Following graduation from Milwaukie High School in Milwaukie, OR, she attended Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA, for one year.  She worked for a time as a secretary in Portland; then at Hamline University, St. Paul, MN, and finally at Allegheny College, Meadville, PA.  In 1981 she fulfilled a lifelong dream by graduating from Meadville Vocational-Technical School as a Licensed Practical Nurse, and worked for several years at Spencer Hospital, Meadville, and in the office of a Meadville physician.  Between 1984 and 1988 she also provided child care for several Meadville families.

Devoted first and foremost to her family, her personal pastimes otherwise included cooking, reading, refinishing antiques, gardening and travel.

She requested to be cremated and to have her ashes scattered at Cannon Beach, OR.

A service of memory and celebration will occur at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 30 N. Park Ave., Meadville, at a time to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Office of Development, Allegheny College, 520 N. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335; Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 30 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335, or Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335.