Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Carol Ann (Pihl) Skilling, age 83, a 59-year resident of Wilmington, MA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. She was born on March 26, 1941, in Boston. She was the cherished daughter of the late Roy and Evelyn (Hadfield) Pihl. She was the beloved sister of Dick, Patty Crow, Judy Suchecki, and Tom. She was raised in Milton, MA, and was graduated from Milton High School in 1958. Carol began dating her late husband Gerald “Jerry” Skilling when they were just 13 and 14 years old and never looked back. They married in 1959 and first lived together in France, where Jerry was stationed with the U.S. Army. There they began their large family with the birth of their first son, Randy, just before moving back to the states, where they had four more children: Rob, Janet, Sandy, and Roger.
Carol was a devoted mom, serving as Brownie leader and Cub Scout leader for each of her children. Once all her kids were in school, she channeled her abundant talent in caring for others toward a career in nursing. While still handling all of the household needs of the family, she studied in every spare moment to earn her LPN, RN, and BSN. Over four decades, she worked in various area hospitals, including the Family Medical Center in Wilmington and Winchester Hospital, where she spent her last days and fondly reminisced with former colleagues. Carol and Jerry were long-time members of the Congregational Church in Wilmington. In retirement, Carol enjoyed traveling with Jerry for many years, reaching all 50 states and Europe. They enjoyed a long, loving, and dedicated marriage of over sixty years.
Carol will be greatly missed and fondly remembered as the selfless, ever-kind, and ever-faithful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother she was and always will be in our hearts. Carol and Jerry had five children: Randy (wife Karen), Robert (wife Janice), Janet Beecher, Sandy Miller, and Roger (wife Shannon). She was the loving “Granny” to fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Angie, Terry, Courtney, Robbie, Samantha, Kristina, Tracey, Paul, Alex, Jenna, Jacob, Sam, Harry, Jack, Gracie, Michael, Scarlett, Zoey, Miles, and Clark.
Family and friends will gather for visitation at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rt 62), Wilmington, MA, on Saturday, November 16th, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. immediately followed by a service and reception at the Congregational Church in Wilmington at 220 Middlesex Ave.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s name may be made to Congregational Church in Wilmington, 220 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA 01887.
To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit our website at www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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