SKEENS MARGARET VIRGINIA WAATSON SKEENS, 89, a former nurse, died peacefully, with family by her side, August 28, 2008 at her daughter's home in Broad Run, VA. Mrs. Skeens, known as Ginny and Grandmommy to her closest friends, was born in Elkton, KY. She received a degree in Biology from Western Kentucky University and was a graduate of The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, class of 1942. She served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 as a flight nurse for military patients. After marrying in March 1946, Mrs. Skeens and her husband, Col. Roy H. Skeens, Air Force Officer and career pilot, traveled around the world. They retired to Fairfax in the early 1970s where Mrs. Skeens continued to work as a nurse with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mrs. Skeens was an active and successful horse and dog breeder and her ponies are champions nationwide. Her passion for riding was passed on to her daughters and grandchildren and she never missed an opportunity to watch them at horse shows. Survivors include four daughters, Deborah Howell of Middleburg, VA, Kathy Crouch of Centreville, VA, Shelly Hazel of Broad Run, VA, and Virginia Wilbrandt of Fairfax, VA; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A celebration of Mrs. Skeens' life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 5 at Deerchase Farm, Broad Run, VA, and a graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16 at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Skeens' name to the "Friendly Foursome Scholarship Fund" at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD; the "Skeens-Watson Professorship" at the Elon School of Law, Greensboro, NC; Christ Church, Warrenton, VA; or the New Baltimore Volunteer Fire and Rescue, New Baltimore, VA. Arrangements by MOSER FUNERAL HOME, WARRENTON.

Published in The Washington Post on 8/31/2008