Andrea Edna Skinner
Published March 26, 2009
Andrea Edna Skinner, a longtime and well-loved resident of Bainbridge Island, died peacefully on March 26 at Martha & Mary Health & Rehabilitation Center in Poulsbo. She was 95.
She was born in Bellevue, Wash., on Nov. 18, 1913 to Nell and Dwight Skinner. She settled with her family at Tolo on Bainbridge in 1918, moving to Battle Point in 1926.
She attended Manzanita school and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1931. She then moved to Seattle, where she completed secretarial school and worked during the Depression years.
Andrea went with her close childhood friend and neighbor to the Winslow dock on the day residents of Japanese ancestry were transported to internment camps. She assisted closing out their homes at Battle Point and remained in close touch.
She moved to San Louis Obispo, Calif., in 1942, where she was successful at selling war bonds. She later resided in San Francisco, returning to Seattle in 1945 where she volunteered a short stint in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
She worked for Fredrick & Nelson’s human resources department prior to joining the Seattle Gas Company in 1953 and later Washington Natural Gas, retiring in 1978. She was active in professional women’s organizations as an officer and a mentor.
After living on Lake Sammamish and later Mercer Island, in 1976 she returned to the Skinner homestead at Battle Point. She loved hiking and camping in the Cascades, riding horseback in Colorado and Montana and fishing in Alaska and Canada. She also traveled to Antarctica on a scientific research ship after retirement. She was a competitive bridge player, an avid reader and loved watching Mariners baseball with her friends. She was a gifted piano player and a remarkable storyteller.
She is survived by her sister, Patricia Russell of Bainbridge Island; nephews David (Lisa) Russell of Seattle, Matt (Kate) Russell of Miles City, Mont., and Bob (Jill) Russell of Bainbridge Island; great-nieces Janna and Jannell Russell of Bainbridge Island and Naomi Hubert of Seattle; and great-nephew of Jeremy Umeno of Bainbridge Island.
A celebration of life will be held at Bob and Jill Russell’s home on Bainbridge Island, to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bainbridge Public Library.
An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.