Rosemary Eckel Skinner, 78, of Cheyenne died May 4 in Cheyenne.

She was born July 21, 1931, in Great Falls, Mont., the daughter of Edwin "Ed" and Genevieve Eckel. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Sheridan, where Rosemary graduated from high school in 1949.

Mrs. Skinner graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1953. While attending the University of Wyoming she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

She taught school in Glendora, Calif., from 1954 through 1955 and later did a short stint as a flight attendant with United Airlines.

She married her husband of 46 years, C. Richard "Dick" Skinner, in 1956.

From 1956 to 1970, Rosemary and Dick were busy raising their four children while living in Denver, New Jersey, Miami and Houston.

In 1970 they decided to move back to their home state of Wyoming and lived in Laramie, where Dick was the executive director of the University of Wyoming Alumni Association.

In 1975 they moved to Cheyenne, where Dick became the administrative assistant for three-term Gov. Ed Herschler.

During this period Rosemary became very involved in the Cheyenne and Wyoming communities.

Mrs. Skinner was a longtime active member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

At one time she served as the president of the YWCA and was instrumental in the establishment of the Cottonwood Home for Unwed Mothers.

She was an active member of PEO. She was on the National Advisory Board for the University of Wyoming Art Museum and a member of the Board of Directors for the UW Alumni Association. She was a board member for the Wyoming Children's Society which provided assistance in the adoption of children.

This is just a short list of the many philanthropic interests with which she was involved.

Rosemary enjoyed playing the piano, attending art class at Laramie County Community College, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Rosemary was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

She is survived by sons, Charles "Chuck" and wife Karin of Cheyenne, Jack and wife Dawn of Laramie, Rick and wife Amy of Anaheim, Calif.; and daughter, Elizabeth and husband Rick Hanson of Denver.

She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Cody, Courtney and Christy Skinner of Laramie, Charlie, Ned, Jack and Elizabeth Skinner of Anaheim, Max and Meg Hanson of Denver, and Jason Hoffman and Avalon Skinner of Cheyenne.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Genevieve Eckel; and her husband of 46 years, Dick Skinner.

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday at Schrader Funeral Home with a Vigil for the Deceased to follow at 6 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

An interment service will follow at Olivet Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Glen Oslund, Chuck Wing, Cody Skinner, Jason Hoffman, Charlie Skinner and Ned Skinner. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Skinner and Max Hanson.

Friends may contribute to the Herschler/Skinner Scholarship, Wyoming Children's Society or Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - May 9, 2010.