Mary Roberta Skach

Mary Roberta Skach (Fitch), 88, passed away on November 28th 2024 in Naperville, IL. She was born on January 1, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio to Robert J Fitch and Laura Tracy Fitch (Bultman). Her grandparents were Edward P. Fitch and Elizabeth Dempsey along with Cyrus C. Bultman and Laura Tracy. Roberta had many siblings: Barbara Fitch, Laura Eastwood, Monica Skulski, Patrick Fitch, Michael Fitch, Kathleen Fitch, Christopher Fitch, Edward Fitch, Thomas Fitch, and Mary Anthony Fitch. Roberta attended St. Luke grade school. In 1954, she was a National Honor Society graduate of Trinity High School. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in 1958 from Dominican University (formerly Rosary College), studying business and political science. That same year, she married John M. Skach III (1936-2002) in St. Luke Church in River Forest, IL. They resided in various locales as John was given larger infrastructure projects to work: Munising, MI, Eau Claire, WI, Largo, FL, Pryor, OK, and Portsmouth, VA before moving to Palatine, IL in 1969. During that time, they started their family, bringing four children to Palatine: John Robert Skach (Patricia), Laura Marie McKissack (Edward), James Joseph Skach (Debra), and Elizabeth Ann Rice, MD (Todd). Roberta was blessed with many grandchildren: Daniel Skach (Amber), Samantha Morrow (Adam), Connor Skach, Haley Skach, Caleb Rice, and Isaac Rice. Her step grandchildren include Tara O’Connell (Isaac), Ryan Cornwell (Sophie), Drew McKissack (Kelly), Brooke Ceh (Mike), and Kim Wells (Mike). She had one great-granddaughter, Autumn Skach. While living in Palatine, she was President of the Women’s Guild of St. Thomas Villanova Church and President of the PTA for Winston Park Junior High School. In 1975, she returned to work as Human Resource Manager at a local distribution business, Ohm Electronics. She and John moved to West Olive, MI in 1997. They were active members of the Our Lady of the Lake Church with Roberta serving as Treasurer, then President of the 50+ Club engaging the senior parishioner network. In her retirement, she was an avid gardener and served as both the Treasurer and then President of the Holland Garden Club in Holland Michigan. She was a member of the Holland Friends of the Arts and the Lakeland Artists, then successfully submitting her own watercolor paintings. She and her husband were passionate genealogists even to their final days. They traveled extensively through Ireland as well as Central and Eastern Europe to trace their family trees. Roberta is preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, and her siblings: Barbara, Patrick, Laura, and Monica. In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly requesting donations to be made to the American Cancer Society. Please use the following link if making a donation in Mary's memory: https://donate.cancer.org/ A visitation for Mary will be held on Monday, December 2nd from 11 AM - 1 PM at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium located on 530 W. Boughton Rd. Bolingbrook, IL 60440. Family & friends will gather on the same day for the burial at 2 PM at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery located on 1185 W. Algonquin Rd. Palatine, IL 60067. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium.

Mary Roberta Skach

January 1, 1936 - November 28, 2024