Skidmore, Catherine Zagata

Catherine Zagata Skidmore, 89, of 310 Wolf Street, Narrows, VA died peacefully in her sleep Friday, September 14, 2012. Born August 8, 1923 in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, she was a first generation American, born to Polish immigrants Frank and Catherine Zagata. She was the last surviving member of her family, having been preceded in death by four half-brothers and 11 brothers and sisters. She was the widow of the late Honorable Edward Guy Skidmore, former mayor of Narrows. Cathy was a “Boom-Boom Girl” during World War II as she assembled army ammunitions in Aberdeen, MD. She “kept kids” for over 40 years in Narrows and over 200 kids grew up with “Mommy Skidmore”. She was a lifelong Catholic. Surviving children are son Edward and wife, Jill of Pearisburg; son David and wife, Mary of Bluefield, VA; daughter Mary Catherine McClintock of Oswego, NY; and son Mark and wife, Venita of Narrows. Other survivors are grandson, Vance and wife, Vikki Skidmore of Pearisburg with children Breannah Carr and Caleb Skidmore; granddaughter Dawn and husband, Andrew Murray of Roanoke; granddaughter Elizabeth and husband, David Edwards, of Staunton; granddaughter Samantha Skidmore of Blacksburg and grandson Bryan and wife Amber Skidmore of Dublin, VA with daughter Brooklyn. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, September 17 at Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows where a Christian wake service will be held at 8:30 p.m. Funeral and Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Holy Family Catholic Church, 516 Mason Court Drive, Pearisburg, VA, 24134 or Carillon Clinic Hospice, 707 Randolph St., Suite 251, Radford, VA, 24141-2429. The family would like to give a special thank you to all the wonderful hospice employees who provided such loving, professional care for Cathy during her last four months.