Margaret C. Skelly of Eastham died on Jan. 25, 2023 at Cape Cod Hospital following a long illness. She was 83.
Born on April 15, 1939, she was reared in Braintree, the second child of Prescott Sheldon and Edith (Lavender) Sheldon. From childhood, she successfully pursued her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher. In early adolescence, she taught a summer camp for preschoolers at her home and later worked at summer camps in Braintree and Orleans.
Known to all as Peg, she graduated from Wheelock College with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. While in college, she spent a summer as a teacher and mentor for children of migrant workers in central New York and a summer as mentor for adolescent girls in a depressed area of Bristol, England. Following graduation and marriage, she taught in elementary schools in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, eventually retiring following a long and very happy tenure as second-grade teacher at the Truro Central School.
Peg was a nurturer of children in particular but also of anyone whom she encountered who was in need. Living in Northborough and teaching at Faye School in Southborough, she volunteered as a Companion to the Blind and found time to co-author “An Advent Event,” a teaching unit published by Morehouse-Barlow. In Orleans, she served on the board of directors of Food4Kids and as a volunteer at the Free Shop, a clothing service of the Church of the Holy Spirit. She also was a devout and unswerving member of the Episcopal church and worked in its services to the homeless and the needy.
Peg is survived by Herbert Skelly of Eastham, her husband and companion of 61 years. She also leaves a brother, Philip Sheldon of Virginia; three children, Megan Pedersen, Christopher Skelly, and Rebecca Smith, and their spouses, Chris Pedersen, Cindy Skelly, and Rick Smith; and her grandchildren, Ben Pedersen, Nathan Pedersen, Jayden Skelly, Sabine Lach, and Sage Lach, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her sister, Ann.
Funeral arrangements will be private. Online condolences may be posted at nickersonfhorleans.com.
