Pauline (Ruel) Skowera, age 69, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side, on April 2, 2013 at Baystate Medical Center. She was born on Dec. 29, 1943 in Holyoke, a daughter to the late Eugene and Yvonne (Gregoire) Ruel. She was a dedicated social worker for the VA in Northampton for many years. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church. She belonged to the fraternal organization of St Dominic, Mother of God Chapter in West Springfield and also belonged to the National NASW. She leaves her loving husband of 31 years, Dennis Skowera of Chicopee; 1 daughter, Donna O’Brien Forbes and her husband Brian of South Yarmouth, MA; 2 sons, Robert O’Brien of Springfield and Kevin O’Brien of Tampa, FL; 2 brothers Joseph “Roger” Ruel of Chicopee and Normand “Pete” Ruel of Chicopee; 6 grandchildren, Katlyn, Bobby, Michael, Eleanor, Matthew and Clarabel and one great grandchild, Ava. She is predeceased by her brother Robert Ruel and her sister Yvette Rossi. Pauline walked the path that God had chosen for her with grace and humility, ever mindful of human frailty and touching all that knew her with special compassion. Calling hours will be held Thursday (Today), April 4, 2013 from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee. A funeral service will be held on Fri., April 5, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in St Rose de Lima Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry St, Holyoke, MA 01040, or to the Dominican Nuns Monastery of the Mother of God, 1430 Riverdale St, West Springfield, MA 01089-4698.