Letitia Jean Skeen

Of Jackson, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the age of 90. Born on December 7, 1932, a twin, to Letitia D. and William Johnston. She was raised on a farm in Emerson Township and attended Curtis Country School District 5, and eventually Breckenridge Schools, where she graduated as the Class of 1950 Valedictorian.

Letitia has three siblings, and was preceded in death by her mother and older siblings James Johnston (Shirley, deceased), William "Ted" Johnston (Norma) and survived by her Beloved twin sister Margaret Smith (Robert, deceased) of Breckenridge. She married John W. Skeen on January 8, 1955 lasting 68 years. They have four children, Jack (Peggy), Mary (Austin), Letitia Anne, and Matthew (Tanya) all surviving. Our kind and generous Mom loved her children, 15 grandchildren; Courtney, Angela, Nicole, Cara, Rob, Anna, Alec, Adrian, Ashley, Hannah, Nicholas, Zachary, Daniel, Alexandra and Joshua, and 13 great-grandchildren; Will, Eden, Ruth, Jane, Aubrey, Blaire, Everett, Stella, Remy, Gabriel, Cedar, Cora Mae and Greyson. Letitia loved her immediate and extended family.

Letitia attended Alma College in the early 1950's, and later attended Central Michigan University graduating in 1970 obtaining a Bachelor's Degree and teaching certification, majoring in English and Spanish. Tish IV also graduated CMU with a BA and her grandson Zachary continues her Chippewa legacy by currently attending CMU Medical School. Letitia taught high school Spanish and other subjects at Brooklyn Columbia Central, Vandercook Lake and Northwest High Schools, retiring after several decades. She was a lifelong member and attendee of Christian churches, and the last twenty years attended the First United Methodist Church in Jackson. Our patriotic Mother was a lifelong member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

She supported many vital causes including the American Red Cross, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts, United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith), UM, CMU, Jackson County Library and Alma College Alumni Association. She was an avid sports fan, especially favoring the Detroit Lions and UM Football.

It brought Mom lasting joy to garden with flowers, especially her roses. She was a voracious reader, keeping up to date on worldwide news and weather for her entire life. She passed her love of reading on to her children and grandchildren and we never needed to check the weather as our Mom would report on it regularly. Mom loved to travel and never feared new things or new experiences. Mom was the first in our family to purchase a cell phone!

Our thanks to the nurses on the sixth and seventh floors of Henry Ford Hospital, Jackson for their professional and compassionate care for Mom and our family. Special thanks to the Hospice nurses and team for their expertise, meticulous care and sensitivity on behalf of Mom and our family.

The Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 10:30 AM at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Julie Nygaard officiating. The family will receive friends at the Church on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 10:00 to 10:30 AM. Private interment will take place at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

In our Mom's memory, donations may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or Henry Ford Health Jackson Hospice Home.