Eleanor Intilli Skinner

June 15, 2012

Eleanor Intilli Skinner, an educator, active community member, volunteer, board member and philanthropist, Eleanor Intilli Skinner died in her home on June 15, 2012 after a long illness.

Eleanor lived in Vernon for over sixty years and was a member of the Skinner Family, who traced their origins to their 17th century ancestors in the Vernon area who operated the former Skinner Farm for three-hundred years. In keeping with the Skinner tradition of volunteer work and community involvement, particularly in the health care sector, Eleanor served as a trustee of the Rockville Hospital and its merge with The Eastern Connecticut Health Network. She was a volunteer in the hospital's library and dialysis center as well as in a local nursing home. Eleanor recently served as an ECHN Corporator and was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international sorority of women educators. Recently, she was the recipient of the Court House Fitness and Wellness Club's first Super Senior Fitness and Wellness Award.

Eleanor Intilli Skinner was born in Amsterdam, NY, on December 9, 1924. After graduating from the Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1942, Eleanor worked for the W.T. Grant Company in Amsterdam during World War II. Upon her marriage to Leroy "Bruce" Skinner in 1946, Eleanor moved to her husband's home town of Vernon, CT. She began her professional career in Vernon in the employment of Connecticut Light and Power Company as a home service representative. During this time, Eleanor also began taking courses at the University of Connecticut , from which she earned a BA as well as an MA in English and social studies. Teaching was Eleanor's vocation for over twenty years, first in East Windsor and later in Manchester. Following her retirement, Eleanor worked for nine years at a local travel agency and traveled extensively.

Eleanor's beloved husband Bruce died in 2009.

Eleanor is survived by her dear sister, Reontina "Rae" Intilli D'Atri, of Madison, CT, and by her affectionate brother, Frank Intilli, of Schenectady, NY and his wife Joan Nardini Intilli, as well as by her many loving nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing on Friday June 22, 2012 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM. at the Small & Pietras Funeral Home, 65 Elm Street Rockville, CT.

A Funeral Service will be held the following morning, June 23, 2012, at 10:00 AM at the funeral home.

Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Eleanor's name to the Visiting Nurse and Health Services, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06066 or visit www.vnhsc.org, 860.872.9163.