Rosemary Skirm

Rosemary Bradford Skirm, 86, of Puyallup died at home Sunday, Feb. 5, with family gathered around her. Originally from Okmulgee, Okla., she was married to Cmdr. George L. Skirm, Jr., USN (Retired) (deceased) originally of Washington DC. She was trained as a nurse and served as a flight attendant before becoming a Navy spouse and raising six children in a variety of Navy assignment locations around the world. These included Hawaii, Japan, California, Virginia and Florida to which she returned when her husband retired following a stint as borough manager in Forest Hills, Penn. After a few years they moved back to Jacksonville Florida so Rosemary could live near her Mother and Sister. Upon George’s death, Rosemary moved to Puyallup to join several of her children living in the Pacific Northwest. Rosemary was a woman of many avid interests including painting, ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) and bonsai. While stationed in Japan she earned the title of Ikebana Master. She was a voracious reader and soon became fascinated in genealogist research. She documented her family lineage back to the colonial era in America, and soon became a member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). Rosemary is a 25-year member of the DAR and a current member of the Mary Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Tacoma WA. She continued her research, then joined the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, was a member of the Washington State Cameo Society, and finally a member of the Red Hat Society, just for fun. She is survived by her children Kathleen Woodhouse of Middletown, R.I.; Capt. George L. Skirm III, USN (Ret), of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; Rosemary Hellene of Orting; Capt. Harry Skirm of Puyallup; Dr. Elizabeth Skirm, M.D. of Seattle; and Michael Skirm of Jacksonville, Fla.; 21 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup. Memorial donations may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.