Donna Corey Skomski

October 14, 1927 – May 14, 2013

On May 14, 2013, Donna Corey Goettsch Maddock Skomski of Mt. Pleasant and formerly Royal Oak, Michigan, lost her six year struggle with cancer and passed away peacefully at Rosebush Presbyterian Manor in Rosebush at age 85.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. at Rosebush Presbyterian Church, MI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosebush Manor, Isabella County Commission on Aging, or the Mt. Pleasant Public Schools Education Foundation.

Donna was born in Waterloo, Iowa and grew up living in the states of Iowa, Colorado, Montana, California, Nevada and Michigan. She attended high school in Butte, Montana and San Rafael High School, California, graduating in 1945. Donna graduated from Michigan State University in 1949 with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education and a minor in English. While at MSU, Donna was captain of the Women’s Swim Team for three years. She was a National Swimming Champion in freestyle and backstroke who was an alternate on the 1948 Olympic Swim Team. She was also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority at MSU. After college graduation, Donna taught and coached at the high school level in Michigan and later the college level in Nevada. Along with her teaching and coaching, Donna served as head of the Women’s Athletic Department at Hazel Park High School. She coached varsity and AAU swim teams, diving, synchronized swimming, tennis, fencing, and gymnastics. While at Hazel Park High School, Donna created the first dance and drill team the Hazel Park Vikettes. In competition, the Vikettes were nationally ranked and they often performed at Detroit Lions football games and numerous J.L. Hudson’s Thanksgiving Day Parades. While teaching primarily in the Hazel Park school system, Donna also taught in Adrian, Warren, and Royal Oak school systems. Donna impacted many student lives at the high schools she taught in and was respected and loved by those who knew her well. In her teaching years, Donna was also a member of the Olympic Development Committee for Diving.

In Nevada, Donna coached the Carson Aquatic Swim Team, was a member of the Nevada State Museum Docent Council, member of Carson City Friends of the Library, and taught at Southern Nevada Community College.

Donna was a member of Presbyterian USA church most of her life and over the years served as a Deacon and Elder in both Nevada and Michigan. She also served as an officer of the Retired Teachers organizations in both Nevada and Michigan.

In the last years of Donna’s life, she traveled through Europe several times to gather information for a Historical book she was writing. Donna had a keen interest in Greek, Roman, and Medieval History. She also had a great appreciation for the arts.

Donna is survived by her son, Grant Skomski (Mary Jane Flanagan) of Mt. Pleasant; daughters, Corey-Lynn Kern of Lake Las Vegas, Nevada and Lee-Ann Graniglia Skomski (Pompeo Graniglia) of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandchildren, Jennifer Corey Kern (Aiden Bordner) of San Francisco, Jameson Logan Kern, Tess Maria (Isaac) Swainston, Andre Vincenzia Graniglia, and Luca Joseph Graniglia of Las Vegas, and Katherine Skomski Flanagan of Mt. Pleasant. Donna was preceded in death by her parents Margery Corey and Alfred Goettsch, her adoptive father Alfred Maddock, and Joseph J. Skomski, her husband.

May she rest in peace with her Lord.