Martha F Skinner

Martha L. Skinner, 85, of Naples, FL passed away Nov. 17, 2017. Born and raised in Ft. Myers, FL, she graduated from Ft. Myers High School where she was a cheerleader, majorette, and Drum Majorette. In 1948 she was crowned Miss Centennial by the Mayor of Ft. Myers. She helped bury a time capsule on the Edison Estate during the festivities of Edisonia that year. After graduating high school, Martha married the love of her life, Abe. They were married 67 years. Martha was proud to be a "Native Floridian." She resided in Lee and Collier counties all of her life.

Martha worked for the Collier County Department of Social Services for 32 years. For 26 of those years she was Director of the Department. She consistently demonstrated a dedication to serving the citizens of Collier County that was unsurpassed; a dedication that lead her to devote her entire career to improving the quality of life for the citizens of the County by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting the vulnerable population within the community. Martha's dedication, commitment, and leadership helped earn Collier County Social Services Department a reputation as one of the premier, human-services agencies within our state and community. Throughout her tenure, the Department provided assistance to over a half-million of the area's poor and elderly residents. Martha was respected and recognized by the Florida Association of Counties as one of the outstanding local lobbyists in the State of Florida, where she successfully represented and defended Collier County's poor and elderly for over three decades. She was named the "Heart of Collier County" upon her retirement in 2001.

Martha was beautiful inside and out and put her love of God and her family above all else. She made every holiday and family event wonderful and her special touches will be greatly missed. She enjoyed decorating, cooking, and entertaining. Martha was proud of her Southern Heritage and enjoyed getting together with her GRITS friends. ("Girls Raised in the South")

Martha is survived by her husband, Abe; her two children, Karen Walker and Kelly (Libby) Skinner; her grandchildren, Eric (Amber) Walker and Nikki Culmer; her great grandchildren, Haley and Savannah; sister-in-law, Sheila Skinner; several nieces, nephews and extended family.

A memorial service will be announced.

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