Sr. Hilda Skelley, IHM, 86, died peacefully under hospice care on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at her home, the IHM Senior Living Community.
Hilda Ann Skelley was born June 28, 1937, to James and Catherine (Meyer) Skelley of Pontiac, Michigan. She attended Holy Name Parish School (Birmingham) and graduated from St. Mary High School (Royal Oak) in 1955. That summer, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe and received the religious name Sister James Ellen.
As Sister James Ellen, she studied in Detroit at Marygrove College to earn a bachelor’s degree and at Wayne State University, earning a master’s degree in education.
Her early ministry began in elementary education at Gesu, Detroit and at St. Felicitas and St. Rene, both in Chicago. In 1969, she was called to serve her Congregation and Marygrove College in many capacities in business administration. For over 20 years, she held positions as an accountant, personnel director, internal auditor and assistant general treasurer. Later ministries shared her business and technology acumen at Springbank Christian Center (Kingstree, South Carolina), Quality Software Associates (Tecumseh, Michigan) and locally with Big Brother/Sisters, Evans Street Station and Danny's Fine Foods.
She resided in Monroe for many years before moving to the Motherhouse in 2016. In 2017, she underwent major surgery and recovered in the health care center. She remained involved with the campus community through her positive and gentle spirit and sharing in prayer and presence with residents and staff alike.
Loving sister of John (sister-in-law Judy, deceased), James (deceased), Catherine (deceased) and Patrick (deceased), aunt to nieces and nephews and beloved friend to her IHM Sisters in community.
Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, Friday, Aug. 4. Welcoming of the body begins at 9 a.m. with a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Livestreaming begins at 10 a.m. and may be viewed until Aug. 25, 2023. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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