Mary Ellen Megerle Skidmore

Mary Ellen was born on November 5, 1925 in Philadelphia Pa. She attended Cheltenham High School and went on to graduate from William & Mary College. Mary Ellen married Stephen Skidmore in 1950. They were married for 66 years.

After residing in Philadelphia, they moved to Jamestown NY. Mary Ellen earned her teaching degree from Fredonia State College and went on to earn her Masters Degree. Mary Ellen taught at several Jamestown schools where she was admired by her colleagues and students. She was also very active in the NYS Reading Association.

Mary Ellen and Steve “retired” to Whispering Pines NC, in 1984, where they both continued working for many years. Mary Ellen taught in the Moore County School District and continued being active in the NC Reading Association . She traveled extensively for the NCRA and enjoyed meeting many interesting speakers, authors and characters.

Mary Ellen was a dedicated reading teacher at Carthage Elementary. She was an advocate for literacy and literature through her volunteer work with the International Reading Association, the North Carolina Reading Assiciation, the Moore County Reading Association, and the Moore County Literacy Council.

The International Literacy Association honored her with a Maryann Manning Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2009.

To honor her the State Council established the Mary Ellen Skidmore Project Grants to fund local council projects to improve literacy in the state.

She was devoted to the Moore County Council and loved working with their Young Authors Project.

Through her advocacy, Mary Ellen served as an outstanding model of an educator who dedicates themselves to joining with others to support children, families, teachers and other educators to guarantee literacy and encourage an appreciation of literature for all.

Mary Ellen instilled a love of reading in her grandchildren and great grandchildren, leaving them many of her favorite books.

Mary Ellen was proceeded in death by her parents, her favorite Aunt Maude and her beloved husband Stephen Skidmore who died in February 2017.

Mary Ellen was a cherished mother, grandmother and Far Mor. She is survived by her children, Gayle (Micheal) Pate, and Stephen(Anette) Skidmore. Her grandchildren Megerle (Michael) Morris, Kaitlin (Taylor) Spriggs, Andrew (Carly) Pate and Sara (Zach) Harris. Her great grandchildren Kairo and Kingston Spriggs, Anna Megerle Morris, Annabelle and Lillian Pate and Pate and Baker Harris. Also her dear friends Cris Crissman and Sonya Locklear.

No visitation will be observed.

Memorials may be made to the NYS Reading Association or the NC Reading Association.

Boles Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.