Joan Penelope Skal

She was a long time member of Trinity Episcopal Church where she served for many years in the Choir. She previously attended St. Agnes Episcopal Church in Little Falls, NJ, where she served in different capacities. She was a long time member of the Choir and a part of the St Anne’s Guild, served on the vestry and volunteered in many other positions.

Joan attended Hunter College in New York.

Joan worked as the Assistant Clerk and then retired as Township Clerk in Little Falls, NJ. Her previous employment included work as a reporter and editor for several newspapers and work on a small independent magazine as a proofreader. After retirement she worked part time as a ‘sample patient’ for aspiring doctors.

Joan was very active in community theater in New Jersey. She was an accomplished actress and also served as Stage Manager for many productions. She worked with the North Jersey Musical Theater, Nutley Little Theater, and Studio Players in Montclair, NJ.

Joan loved to read and enjoyed a wide variety of subjects, both fiction and nonfiction, as well as poetry. She was the quintessential bookworm, never so happy as when she could be curled up with a book. In addition to reading, Joan was a writer, writing for newspapers and journaling as well as poetry. She also enjoyed beading, making many beautiful pieces that she enjoyed wearing and giving to others.

Joan traveled extensively. She enjoyed US travel, visiting many states with her immediate family and also with her extended family, and work trips as well. There were also many trips abroad, usually on cruise ships, to see foreign countries and points of interest both with her husband Michael or her best friend Merrill, who predeceased her.

For the last years of her life, Joan enjoyed living in Fort Wayne. She made many new friends and explored Fort Wayne’s cultural and culinary offerings.

Joan is survived by her husband of 59 years, Michael J. Skal of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter, Leslie Ellis-Skal of Garrett, IN; son, Christopher Skal of Susquehanna, PA; granddaughter, Nikkia Ellis of Butler, IN; and a great granddaughter, Ray’ka Ellis-Hopkins.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Ruetenik, and a grandson, Michael Ellis.