Joy Anne Skiba

Joy Anne Skiba, 83, of Alpena, peacefully, entered eternal rest on Thursday, November 17, 2022. She was a kind, caring, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend whom will be dearly missed by many. Joy Anne was born on December 21, 1938 to the late John Pershing and Dorothy Margaret (Wagner) Richards in Wyandotte, Michigan. After graduating High School from St. Patricks School, Joy Anne continued her education at Central Michigan University where she obtained her bachelor degree in education and later pursued a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Marygrove College. She was a life-long learner and had a strong passion for teaching others which led to her many years as an educator. She taught art privately, in Alpena Public Schools and at Alpena Community College, where in addition to traditional art classes, she taught pre-service teachers. Her career ended upon her retirement after 35 years, in 2000. On June 13, 1959 Joy Anne married the love of her life Thomas Lee Skiba at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wyandotte, MI. They were blessed with 57 years of marriage and raising a family until he preceded her in death in 2016.

Joy Anne enjoyed life, but nothing in life brought her more joy than spending time with her family. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and all of the memories made walking in the woods, swimming, skiing, skating and doing art projects. Joy Anne was a very talented and accomplished artist in oils, acrylic and water color. Her teaching and artwork are a legacy that will continue bringing joy to many.

She is survived by her six children, Noel Marie (Thomas Lee Kingman) Skiba, Hollee (Bruce) Hart, Thomas J. Skiba, Timothy Skiba, Kevin (Linda) Skiba, and Heidi Joy Ludlow, 11 grandchildren, Paul William Skiba VanEss (Jessica Martelli), Allen T. Hart, Ashley A. Hart, Michael J. Hart, Lessie Longstreet, Rudi Skiba, Rebekah Alice (Zachary) Miller, Rachel Anne (Andrew) Hocott, Julia Ruth (Gene) Bowen, Anna Marie Skiba, and Mary Clare Skiba, and 10 great grandchildren, Brandon Skiba, Elise Hart, Ada Hart, Katherine Jane Miller, James Michael Miller, Frederick Thomas Miller, George Anthony Miller, Marianne Monica Hocott, Benedict Basil Hocott, and Pega Philomena Bowen, and granddaughter-in-law Norma Skiba.

Preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lee Skiba, grandson, Brandon Jonathon Thomas Skiba and daughter-in-law, Concetta Skiba.

Family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Karpus Hunter & Ross Funeral Home from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a parish prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Wednesday at St. Anne Catholic Church of All Saints Parish from 10:00 A.M. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Tyler Bischoff as celebrant. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to the family for the creation of a memorial scholarship at Alpena Community College in Joy Anne’s name. Online condolences may be registered at www.karpushuntercares.com