Eleanor Ann Skory

August 18, 1924 - March 31, 2020

Eleanor (El) Ann Skory (Voss) 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully, on March 31, 2020. She died of natural causes, in her home at Boardman Lake Glens. Eleanor was in the loving presence of her caretakers at the time of her death. El was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Edward and Rose Voss on August 18, 1924. It was growing up in that loving home with her five siblings that her love for God and family was nurtured. El attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Mount Mercy Academy in Grand Rapids. It was in Grand Rapids that she met and married Robert (Bob) Skory. They were married on July 5, 1943, and spent the next 55 years together raising their 8 children, until Bob’s death in 1998. Their move to Traverse City in 1954 gave their children a wonderful place to call home. El was a devoted mom and spent her days providing for the many needs of her cherished children. Growing up in a large family, remains to this day, her most generous and beautiful gift to her children. El kept busy with her family, always making time to support each of them in their growing years. We have treasured memories of reading books together, cleaning the house on Saturday mornings, the daily “cold” brown-bag lunches she would prepare for each of us for school, and the nightly dinners where we always gathered as a family. (That woman was a genius with a pound of ground beef!) We would be remiss if we didn’t include one of the things that brought El much joy after her kids were on their own. She was the founder of El’s Belles, a group of long-time, dear friends who got together to play golf once a week. She was even named the “most improved player” in 1997! El’s faith in God was the strong foundation on which she built her life. She was an active member of St. Francis Parish where she thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in countless ways, and truly became the hands and feet of Christ. She served on many committees, and belonged to various organizations within the Church. She had a very rich prayer life and nurtured her relationship with Christ through personal prayer, daily mass and fellowship with devoted prayer groups. It is without a doubt that the first words spoken to her when she reached heaven were, “Well done good and faithful servant!” Mt 25:23. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her family: sisters Marian Geary and Jeanne DeLaney; children, Karen (Dave) Guth, Mary Schardt, Judy Skory, Doug Skory, Sally (Joe) Miles, Meg (Keith) Hoekstra, Jean (Kevin) Hunter, Jennie (Andy) Perkette; 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. It’s “so still” here without you, Mom. A Catholic blessing of her body took place prior to cremation. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to Father Fred Foundation or Grand Traverse Area Right to Life. The family welcomes memories and messages in the guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.