Obituary for Therese E. (Archambaul) Skelly
Therese E. (Archambault) Skelly
May 12, 1932 - June 28, 2020
Therese (also known as Terri or Teaky), 88, was the 4th of 5 girls who grew up in Northeast Minneapolis’ Logan Park neighborhood. She attended Catholic schools and Edison High School and was raised to have a deep faith in God which she lived out fully in her life. She was married to Howard Skelly (deceased 2012) for 57 years. Together they lovingly raised 9 children in Fridley and Northeast Minneapolis who all still live in the Twin Cities.
She is survived by her oldest and youngest sisters, Rita Joan Hattouni and Cecilia Piché, of New Brighton; 5 sons, Patrick (Donna), Mark, Donald (Laurie), Joseph (Dawn), Michael (Cori), and 4 daughters, Ann Davis (Troy), Lisa Fosse, Mary Swenson, and Cara Rand (Rodney); 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Therese was a woman of many creative talents, including playing piano, sewing, knitting, making ceramics, crafting, cooking, and fishing. She donated thousands of clothing items over the years to many shelters and other great nonprofits. She made many sweaters, scarfs, hats and other clothing for her sisters, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader, and could be seen on Sundays at home reading a book while knitting and cooking food on the stove with her family in front of the TV watching a football or hockey game. She'd look up, catch the big play, and then say with a twinkle, "I'm not wasting my time."
Therese worked outside of the home at different times, including helping to open Catholic Eldercare on Main Street in 1983, as secretary to Sister Ruth Rohland. Her father, William Archambault became a resident, and 3 of her children worked there, first as dietary assistants and then nursing assistants. In recent years after some medical challenges, she moved into a cozy assisted living apartment at Catholic Eldercare River Village East, the "perfect place" for her. She was so excited to get to know her staff, make new friends, and participate in the social life and walk to church at St. Hedwig twice a week connected to her building.
She continued fierce, boisterous card games, on Tuesday nights with her family in the activity room. Her dedicated children called these nights, "Teaky Tuesdays." In her short 6-days of hospice surrounded by her children and extended family, she was able to share stories, laugh, pray, hug, and listen to her favorite classical and Christian music, including Handel's Messiah. She died peacefully last Sunday afternoon with family beside her.
Thank you to her many wonderful, dedicated caregivers and friends at Catholic Eldercare from her and her family! Thank you for being an integral part of her life, her 2nd family, and by extension our lives too. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. A Celebration of Life will be held at Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Chapel, 1918 University Ave N.E. Minneapolis, Friday, July 10th. Open visitation begins at 10:00 am with invitation-only funeral at 11:00 am (due to Covid-19 restrictions). Reception to follow next door at Jax Cafe, also by invitation only. Please direct memorial gifts to Catholic Eldercare River Village, 2919 Randolph Street N.E., Minneapolis 55418.
May 12, 1932 - June 28, 2020
Therese (also known as Terri or Teaky), 88, was the 4th of 5 girls who grew up in Northeast Minneapolis’ Logan Park neighborhood. She attended Catholic schools and Edison High School and was raised to have a deep faith in God which she lived out fully in her life. She was married to Howard Skelly (deceased 2012) for 57 years. Together they lovingly raised 9 children in Fridley and Northeast Minneapolis who all still live in the Twin Cities.
She is survived by her oldest and youngest sisters, Rita Joan Hattouni and Cecilia Piché, of New Brighton; 5 sons, Patrick (Donna), Mark, Donald (Laurie), Joseph (Dawn), Michael (Cori), and 4 daughters, Ann Davis (Troy), Lisa Fosse, Mary Swenson, and Cara Rand (Rodney); 16 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Therese was a woman of many creative talents, including playing piano, sewing, knitting, making ceramics, crafting, cooking, and fishing. She donated thousands of clothing items over the years to many shelters and other great nonprofits. She made many sweaters, scarfs, hats and other clothing for her sisters, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was an avid reader, and could be seen on Sundays at home reading a book while knitting and cooking food on the stove with her family in front of the TV watching a football or hockey game. She'd look up, catch the big play, and then say with a twinkle, "I'm not wasting my time."
Therese worked outside of the home at different times, including helping to open Catholic Eldercare on Main Street in 1983, as secretary to Sister Ruth Rohland. Her father, William Archambault became a resident, and 3 of her children worked there, first as dietary assistants and then nursing assistants. In recent years after some medical challenges, she moved into a cozy assisted living apartment at Catholic Eldercare River Village East, the "perfect place" for her. She was so excited to get to know her staff, make new friends, and participate in the social life and walk to church at St. Hedwig twice a week connected to her building.
She continued fierce, boisterous card games, on Tuesday nights with her family in the activity room. Her dedicated children called these nights, "Teaky Tuesdays." In her short 6-days of hospice surrounded by her children and extended family, she was able to share stories, laugh, pray, hug, and listen to her favorite classical and Christian music, including Handel's Messiah. She died peacefully last Sunday afternoon with family beside her.
Thank you to her many wonderful, dedicated caregivers and friends at Catholic Eldercare from her and her family! Thank you for being an integral part of her life, her 2nd family, and by extension our lives too. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. A Celebration of Life will be held at Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Chapel, 1918 University Ave N.E. Minneapolis, Friday, July 10th. Open visitation begins at 10:00 am with invitation-only funeral at 11:00 am (due to Covid-19 restrictions). Reception to follow next door at Jax Cafe, also by invitation only. Please direct memorial gifts to Catholic Eldercare River Village, 2919 Randolph Street N.E., Minneapolis 55418.