GLOUCESTER: Dorothy D. (Stanwood) Skillen, 92, died on Tuesday August 21, 2012 in the Brockton Hospital. She was the wife of the late Richard J. Skillen with whom she shared fifty-seven years of marriage.
Born in Gloucester on October 17, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Harold D. and Jessie (Davis) Stanwood. She was a graduate of the Gloucester High School.
Dorothy and Richard opened their home to the care of forty seven foster children during the early years of their marriage as they raised their own children, having more than enough love to share with any child in need. Later in life, Dorothy worked as a nurse’s aide at the Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester.
She is survived by three daughters, Virginia Gattenela, Laura Dunne and Stephanie McKinney; four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. She was also predeceased by her son, John Skillen and her sister, Marguerite Kippen.
Her services will be privately held in the Mt. Adnah Cemetery, Annisquam at the convenience of the family. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to Old Colony Hospice, 1 Credit Union Way, Randolph, MA 02368.