Ann Skeans

Ann P. Skeans passed away unexpectedly on July 3, 2025, at the age of 76. Ann was born in April 1949 to Frederick A. and Virginia T. Phillips in Cambridge Maryland. Fred would work all over the country, laying pipelines for natural gas, taking the family with him before settling in Wyoming, DE, with Ann graduating from Caesar Rodney High School in 1967. She would marry and raise a family over the next many years but then continue her education obtaining an A.A.S. in Administrative Office Systems from Delaware Technical and Community College, a B.S. in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University graduating Magna Cum Laude, and a M.S. in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University. Ann not only worked for the State of Delaware in the Benefits Office, she also taught for Wilmington University for several years. She retired from the State of Delaware in February 2015 after 30+ years of service.

In the 80’s, she became interested in counted cross stitch. The idea of taking a design from paper to fabric fascinated her and so began her love of stitching, with her interest flowing to schoolgirl sampler reproduction and original designs. Ann was a founding member of the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild and a member of many other nationwide guilds, including the Embroiderers’ Guild of America.

She was in charge of the DVHSG Conservation Fund for many years, which helped preserve samplers.  She devoted time to Sampler ID Days, researching and identifying Delaware Samplers, and contributing to the writing of the Delaware Discoveries book. Stitching designs uniquely created as gifts for family members was a passion of hers, as well as entering completed designs in numerous shows and winning awards that included a First Place Ribbon at the Prestigious Woodlawn Needlework Show and many ribbons at the Delaware State Fair. The stitching community brought her so much friendship, mutual love and a place to teach, learn and belong. Regardless of the weather, hot, rainy or cold, you could find her looking at her chart and stitching, in her own world, happy.

Ann also enjoyed genealogy. She loved talking with others and researching family history. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, helping to further her search for family 

information. The history of her family tree meant so much to her, but the stories that went along with it meant even more. She could retain and share so much, loving an opportunity to tell a story of where her family came from, the hardships and obstacles that were overcome, the relationships, and the fortunes that came their way.

Family, above all, was her first love. She so enjoyed time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She thrived on being surrounded by family and friends, coordinating get-togethers and enjoying the opportunities to share stories of her own, as well as listening to others, feeding her desire to always know more about the family. Ann loved surfing social media for posts or pictures shared of events and activities that family had participated in and cheering them on, always a kind and encouraging comment to be made. Ann had a very engaging and nurturing personality, she was a dedicated friend and always willing to go on a road trip, help with an appointment, be a lunch or dinner date, offer advice or just lend an ear. Ann was an ever lending ear to listen, shoulder to cry on, voice of reason and lender of advice to so very many people.

​She is survived by her husband, Danny Skeans; sisters and brothers-in-law Emilie P. and Glenn A. Courtney, Teresa P. and Dennis S. Blades; sister-in-law Chandra G. Phillips; daughters and sons-in-law Tina M. and P. Stephen Gustafson, Linda L. and Harold “Butch” R. Arnold; son and daughter-in-law James F. and Tracy L. Hunter; grandchildren A. Duston Hunter (Kori), W. Kyle Boyce (Annie), Steven L. Hunter (Amber), Brenden Ayala (Julianna), Dante S. Francazio, Holden J. Hunter, Chayton H. Miller, Jimmy Kimble IV; great grandchildren Nathan D. Hunter, Sylar B. Hunter, Jonah K. Boyce, Taryn K. Hunter, Hannah M. Boyce, Dorian K. Hunter, Sullivan J. Boyce and soon to be here Lincoln S. Hunter; along with  several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

From the children: Our Mom was an amazing woman. We never doubted her love and unwavering loyalty to us or her ability to resolve the problems we came to her with. She was our best friend, our hero, the Queen Bee! We will miss her beyond measure and our hearts will never be the same, so we ask to be kept in prayers of comfort from family and friends.

Service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 11, 2025 at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 West Camden-Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, Delaware.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Delaware Valley Historic Sampler Guild Fund for sampler preservation at DVSHG P O Box 1292 Hockessin, DE 19707.