Melanie Margaret Lee Skillman

Melanie Margaret Lee Skillman was born at Somerset Medical Center October 4, 1954. She passed peacefully at home. My dear sweet sister- “gone too soon.” Melanie, my sister was a saint to animals. She found joy taking care of special needs and geriatric animals as well as any animal who needed a warm bowl of food or a warm safe place to lie their head. Her favorite was her bichon, Rose, who loves her more than the world can know. Melanie started her career at Rikers Island then finished before retiring at Manhattan Court Pens as a Correction Officer. The inmates respected her because she took good care of them. She then retired and moved to Wingdale, New York where she became a professional driver taking the sick wherever they needed to go. People were always glad when she was the one behind the wheel, they felt safe. She then became a driver for meals on wheels, delivering hot meals to those in need and picking up people and taking them to the senior site then returning then home or taking them for groceries and always carrying their bags because they were fragile. She loved helping people. Melanie, my sister has always been the kindest to all. people and her favorite animals. My sister I'm sure has crossed the rainbow bridge to heaven where all those animals that she has loved and cared for have met her, and walked, ran and were free of illness and pain. I'm sure Melanie has already started to feed the homeless cats in heaven. In memory of my sister consider taking in a homeless animal and give them shelter and love. Give someone hungry food or lend a helping hand. If you see someone struggling help them, this is what my sister would have done. Melanie was predeceased by her mother and father William and Margaret Skillman and a brother who she loved ever so dearly Galen Skillman. Surviving are her sister Farin Skillman of Flemington, NJ; her favorite nephew, Shannon Young and his wife Jing Zhou of Shanghai, China and a brother William & Wendy Skillman of Boston; nieces and nephews, Sarah, Pete and Katy Skillman and her beloved pets, Rose, Tommy, Meow Meow, Anna Bell, Norman, Sarah, Patrick, Mommy, Sophia and Mario. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Flemington, NJ. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the funeral home. Would like to send a special thank you to Compassionate Care Hospice, Branchburg, NJ for their love, kindness and generosity.