Pamela Mary Skelly

On August 25, 2026 my beloved wife of 46 wonderful years, Pamela Mary (Cryan) Skelly, 71, of Madison, CT, passed away at Yale-New Haven Hospital after her battle with cancer. She was born on December 8, 1954, to the late Paul E. and Pearl Cryan.

Raised in Fairfield, CT, Pam was a graduate of Andrew Warde High School and Southern CT State College. She also earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from SCSC.

As a child in Fairfield, CT, she was an active Girl Scout, developed a love for travel, participated in pinochle and other neighborhood games, and demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit that she took with her throughout her life.

On July 5, 1980, Pam and Bob Skelly were married and began their journey of raising a family together. Pam was a devoted mother, grandmother, and caregiver to the older generation. For several years she was a special education teacher. After teaching, Pam turned her attention to investing in and managing rental properties to provide quality housing. The social environment of Madison, CT gave her great pleasure, including hosting multiple parties for the Madison Newcomers. She participated in numerous events and valued her friendships. Her book club was a favorite pastime. She also took great delight in her pets, with one memory being her kayaking on Rogers Lake with two poodles standing on front of the kayak.

Her true passions included photography, especially photographs of family members and family vacations. As one sister-in-law commented, all the pictures I have of my family are from Pam, especially my all-time favorite photograph of my three children. Another passion was her gardening. She loved being part of her garden club. Neighbors, as they walked or drove by her house, were in awe of the variety and splendor of her flowers.

Among her compassionate actions that honored her Catholic faith, while having two small children of her own, was being a foster parent. This was a program that brought into her home newborn infants for a period of 2-3 weeks, while adoptive parents were identified.

In close families, there is sometimes a person who is the glue that keeps the family together—and Pam could only be described as “superglue.” Gathering the family at every opportunity was very important to her. Because of that hospitality, generosity, and so many other positive attributes, all her family and friends will miss her dearly.

Pam is survived by her husband Robert J. Skelly; her children: Brian (Kristin) Skelly, Patrick (Michelle) Skelly, Elizabeth Erin Skelly; her grandchildren: Piper, Leo, and Sage. She is also survived by her siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her greatly.

Calling Hours will be held at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd, Madison, Connecticut 06443, on August 31, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St Margaret Church, 24 Academy St, Madison, Connecticut 06443, on September 1, 2026, at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven.