Winnie Skelton grew up in Williamstown, PA. A graduate of Williamstown High School, Winnie started nursing school in Harrisburg, PA before she married John (Jack) C Allen in 1945. Due to school regulations that did not allow for married students, when they married she had to withdraw. Thirty-five years later, she resumed her nursing education while living near Atchison, KS. Winnie earned a license in Practical Nursing, but as a busy wife and mother she never pursued a nursing career. In the interceding years, Winnie accompanied Jack from Army post to Army post (across the country and back, from Maryland to Hawaii) with their family, which grew to 6 children between 1946 and 1964.
Upon Jack’s retirement from the Army, the family settled in the Midwest near Atchison, Kansas in the 1970s. Winnie became an avid gardener; transforming the side yards into lush English-style rose and border gardens. Also while living in Kansas, Winnie gave back to the community by foster-parenting many infants and children.
After settling in San Antonio, TX following Jack’s second retirement in 1991, Winnie and Jack became world travelers. They first visited the inspirational gardens of England. Then, over the years, toured many European countries, Asia, Africa, South America, Canada, and made many visits to her beloved Hawaii.
Winnie was predeceased by a son, John, in 1970, and is survived by her loving husband Jack, 5 children (Susan Connell, Jane Farmer, David, Jim, and Jeff), 8 grandchildren (Justin Stanley, Sarah Swan, Nate Farmer, Debbie Flom, Melanie Kulmeshkenova, Danielle, Michelle, and Anna Cowan-Allen), 3 great-grandchildren, a sister (Shirley Shuttlesworth), and six nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to may make a charitable donation in her memory to the Army Residence Community Employee Gift Fund. This fund provides emergency financial assistance for medical and other unexpected needs to the employees of the retirement community where our parents have lived since 1991. The address is Army Residence Community, 7400 Crestway, San Antonio, TX 78239, ATTN: Bruce Furbish, ARC Employee Gift Fund.
We love you Mom; you will be missed!
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