Mary Catherine “Cathy” Skornia went to be with the Lord Feb. 1, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minn.. She was born April 24, 1946 in Washington, Mo. and baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Owensville. Cathy’s parents, Francis and Lena (Berger) Skornia raised her on the beautiful family farm in Owensville. Cathy was always a sweet soul at the earliest age and was a wonderful sister. Cathy graduated in 1967 with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Central Missouri State University and received her M.A. in Educational Administration/Supervision in 2006 from Northern Michigan University. She also studied Medical Technology and Broad Science at Mankato State University and Special Education at St. Cloud State University. As an adult, Cathy started a new life in Minnesota and surrounded herself with good-hearted, positive, loving people like herself. She passionately taught science and special education across the north including Little Falls, Albert Lea, Springfield, Fairmont, St. Francis, Onamia, Baudette, and International Falls, Minn., and Hancock, Minn. for nearly 50 years, retiring in 2018 from Hibbing. Teaching was her life, and students were her children.
Cathy was a precious, purple-loving, sweet, gentle, loving soul. She touched everyone around her, and all her friends and family are so heartbroken without her. Cathy lived a life of faith and love for Jesus, and it was evident in the way she lived. She had the biggest heart and was so giving, spiritual and loving. She spread joy and peace everywhere she went. She loved to walk and enjoyed the company of animals, especially cats and dogs.
Her patience and desire to live genuinely and compassionately were an inspiration to everyone and should be learned by all. She taught so many that you can’t choose what cards are dealt to you in life, but you can choose how to play them. You only get one life, never hold onto resentment, anger or hold grudges. Live unapologetically. Never let your circumstances define you and always rise up and do what’s right, not what’s popular. You can’t control peoples’ behavior, but you can control your reaction. Most of these lessons, she didn’t have to tell anyone, she showed the world through example. She was a saint in everyone’s eyes.
Her new retirement chapter had just begun, and she spent time in Missouri and Texas with relatives to escape the bitter Minnesotan cold. To say that Cathy will be missed so deeply by all her friends and family is an understatement. Her angelic, calm nature, and her endless prayers and love were an amazing blessing to this Earth. The love she showed all is miraculous and beyond words. Her friends and family loved her so strongly. Nothing can stop love, not even death.
Cathy was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hibbing.
Cathy’s Northern Family includes Bob Soumis, Marie and Mark Kayser, Helen Gerard, Frances Northam, Al Nickila, Joan Rundman and numerous other friends. Cathy’s survivors include her siblings, Susan (George) Curtman of Union, Mo., and Charles (Charlotte) Skornia of Jefferson City, Mo.; her nieces, Jane Curtman-Schroeder, Robot, Erin Skornia, and Cristy Mofield; nephews, C.W. Mofield, and Dusty Mofield; great-nieces, Rachel Portuondo and Claire Schroeder. Cathy’s death was preceded by her parents, Francis and Lena Skornia and her sister, Lucy Jean Mofield.
Rest in Peace our dear, sweet Cathy.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 8, 2019 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet, Minn. with a Rosary Service at 7:00 p.m. The visitation will resume on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet. Interment services will be at New Calvary Cemetery, followed with a luncheon in the church social hall. See the family online guest book at www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.
