Knell Skidmore

Knell Spencer Skidmore ?Families are Forever?

Our dear and loving Mom, Grandma, Grandma-Great, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend, Knell Spencer Skidmore passed peacefully to a joyful reunion with loved ones on Monday, March 22, 2004. She was born on February 20, 1919, to Walter Matthew and Mary Alice Knell Spencer in Denver, Colorado, at the home of her Aunt Sarah Moncrieff. Knell lived as an infant in Denver; on the Cochetopa Ranch, about 20 miles east of Parlin, Colorado; and in Babbit, Minnesota. She lived her early childhood in Newcastle, Iron Springs, and Cedar City, Utah. She always had a special place in her heart for Southern Utah. The family moved to Salt Lake City when she was in third grade eventually residing on 12th East. She attended Roosevelt Jr. High School and East High School, class of 1935. She graduated in business from the University of Utah in 1939. She married her sweetheart Rex Austin Skidmore in the Salt Lake Temple August 31, 1939. They met on a blind date, carefully lined up by friends. Knell supported Rex in his career that spanned more than 40 years at the University of Utah. Mostly a resident of Salt Lake City, she also lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Logan, Utah; Miami, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Francisco, California; and traveled around the world. She delighted in family time together including backyard and Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings, vacations, and reunions. She made by hand many items given as special gifts to family and friends. These included needlepoint, plastic canvas, afghans, quilts, and various unique projects. Knell always put others before herself, and was a wonderful and sensitive listener with a caring heart. Her cheery personality, sweet voice, and sunny smile brightened and uplifted others. Everyone who knew Knell loved her, and she loved everyone. She relished her associations with choice friends and neighbors. She enjoyed being part of special groups of friends including Dinner Club, Emeritus Group, Primarians, Seventy-fours, Sew Whats, Timps, and Windsor Club. In the community she willingly served as Pennies by the Inch Co-Chairman for the Primary Children?s Medical Center, University of Utah Women?s Club President, Curtis Elementary School PTA President, and Cub Scout den mother. She participated in Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Salt Lake Council of Women. Knell was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her lifetime. She was a member of the General Board of Primary from 1962 to 1974. She was a Salt Lake Temple worker, a Church Office Building hostess, and served with her husband as special representatives in the International Mission in the Holy Land. She faithfully fulfilled a variety of callings in Sunday School, YWMIA, and Relief Society; including Hillside Stake YWMIA President and Relief Society President in the Monument Park 3rd Ward. She leaves us with her example of faith and her strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She firmly believed that families are forever. She enjoyed the outdoors and the beauties of nature, and appreciated both the simple and grand things in life. She liked playing tennis and racquetball, hiking and walking with friends, dancing, good music, handicrafts, giraffes, popcorn, and hot air gas balloons.

Knell is survived by her two sons: Lee Spencer Christine Pugmire Skidmore and Larry Rex Skidmore; her grandchildren: Leesa Darin Leonard, Megan Jimmy Chepkwurui, and Steven Skidmore; great-grandchildren: Austin and Brennan Leonard, and Jaxon and Jada Chepkwurui; and by her ?adopted? family: Ehab, Kim, Maryn, Eliya, Teric, and Ryann Abunuwara. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her sister, Lydia Alice. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to the Rex A. Skidmore Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Utah College of Social Work, 395 S 1500 E Room 101, Salt Lake City, 84112; or Pennies by the Inch, Primary Children?s Medical Center, 100 N Medical Dr., Salt Lake City, 84113. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 26, 2004 at noon in the Foothill 7th Ward, 1930 South 2100 East. Friends and family may visit Thursday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 255 South 200 East, or at the church from 10:30 – 11:45 Friday morning. Interment will be in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.