Mary Alice (Seiter) Skahan

Mary (Seiter) Skahan of Calhoun, GA passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 27, 2026, from a pulmonary embolism while recovering from hip replacement surgery. Mary was born in Wellsville, New York on May 15, 1964, the daughter of Charles (Charlie) R. Seiter and Virginia (Ginger) A. Seiter, the fifth of seven children.

She attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and earned an accounting degree in 1987. She welcomed her first child, a daughter, Denise Ann Skahan (Thomas) with her then husband, Kevin A. Skahan on June 18, 1986. She loved being a full-time mother and went on to have three more children; a son, Phillip Joseph Skahan, born on January 10, 1988, a daughter, Caroline Seiter Skahan (Jordan) on June 23, 1989, and a daughter, Rachel Mary Skahan (van de Bovenkamp) on December 8, 1990.

After substitute teaching at her children’s elementary school, Mary found her calling to be a teacher. She earned her teaching degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and began her career as an elementary school teacher in Hamilton County in the late 1990’s, leading with empathy and compassion for every student that passed through her classroom doors. She touched the lives of thousands of children, spreading her love of reading and excitement for learning. After nearly 30 years in education, Mary retired in 2023, excited to spend time adventuring and relaxing with her fiancé, Kirk Schueman, and making memories with her four grown children and seven grandchildren. She was a lifelong tennis player, from competing on the Hixson High School tennis team in the 1980’s to playing in a USTA women’s league at the 4.5 level. A fierce competitor on the tennis court, she taught each of her four children to play and made lifelong friends along the way.

In 2025, Mary moved to Calhoun, Georgia with her fiancé, Kirk Schueman. She felt totally at peace there and loved to share photos of the sunsets and horses.

She is preceded in death by her beloved father, Charlie and is survived by her loving mother, Ginger; six siblings, Karen Rich (Wayne) of Ooltewah, TN, Kris Snyder (Rusty) of Burlington, NC, David Seiter (Tina) of Hixson, TN, Mike Seiter (Bobbie) of Hixson, TN, Bob Seiter (Emily) of Lenoir City, TN and Tom Seiter (Karen) of Chattanooga, TN; four children Denise Thomas (Ryan) of Hendersonville, TN, Phillip Skahan (Miny) of Santa Ynez, CA, Caroline Jordan (Matt) of Tampa, FL, and Rachel van de Bovenkamp (Rick) of Hixson, TN; and seven grandchildren, Sadie Bess Thomas (10), Lucy Virginia Thomas (6), Kiki Madelief van de Bovenkamp (6), Lottie Virginia van de Bovenkamp (4), Dutch Charles van de Bovenkamp (1). Alexander (Lex) Matthew Jordan (4), and Olivia (Livi) Caroline Jordan (2).

The funeral mass will be held on Friday, March 6 at 12pm at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN with Father Charlie Burton officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior at 11am. She will be interred later at the St. Jude’s Columbarium at a later date.

Flowers may be sent to St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com

Arrangements are made by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.