Mary Emily Skinkle

MASSACHUSSETS – On Saturday November 16 2024 Emily (Purtell) Skinkle passed peacefully at home with her daughter by her side.  Emily was just a month shy of her 98th birthday at the time of her passing.

Born and raised in South Troy, Emily was a 1944 graduate of Catholic Central High School.  Shortly after graduating, she moved with her family to Albany, where she resided for the next 72 years.

Emily married the love of her life, John (Jack) Skinkle in 1950 and together they raised 3 daughters.  Prior to having children, she worked for the D&H Railroad and subsequently resumed her career after her daughters were in their teens.  She retired from the NYS Dept of Higher Education as a Sr. Purchasing Agent.

In 2017 Emily moved to Sun City Center, FL near her daughter Mary Ellen, where she enjoyed the snow-free winters.  Earlier this year she moved to Massachusetts to be closer to her daughter Linda.

Emily was well loved for her kindness, thoughtfulness, self-reliance and unwavering love for family and friends. She is survived by her daughter Linda (Rick Anderson) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.  She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jack; her daughters Mary Ellen (Mark Finn) and Judy; and her siblings Eileen Gallagher, Kathryn Carro, and Jeremiah, William, James and John Purtell.

Calling hours will be held on Friday November 22 from 4-6 pm at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave, Albany.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday November 23 at 10:30 am at The Parish of Mater Christi, 40 Hopedale St., Albany.  Those wishing to remember Emily in a special way may send a contribution to Washington Warren Albany ARC (https://wwaarc.org) or the Mater Christi Food Pantry, where Emily was a volunteer. Condolences can be posted at danielkeenanfuneralhome.com.