Miss Amelia J. Skill, 94, of West Terrace Street in Claremont, died Thursday morning, October 23, 2008 at Haven Health Center of Claremont after a short illness.

She was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, July 12, 1914; the daughter of Kasimir and Barbara (Kuziak) Skill.  She had resided in her home in Claremont for 89 years.

Amelia was predeceased by sisters Helen Ankuda, Anna Skill and Mary Strout, and brother John Skill. 

She is survived by her sister, Jennie Leggitt, of Shelton, Connecticut, and numerous nieces and nephews and their offspring. 

She graduated from Stevens High School in 1931 at the age of 16.  At the age of 20, Amelia and her sisters Mary (12) and Jennie (16) formed a popular singing trio called “The Skill Sisters” who entertained at school, local and civic events, talent shows at the Opera House, as well as recorded on Radio WNBX in Springfield, Vermont.  Her early employment included working in the shoe shop in Claremont and bookkeeping at the W. P. Sweeney Company.  She then found her niche by joining her father at the Skill Barber Shop on West Terrace Street, where she cut hair “by appointment only” for 50 years.  Her clients included thousands of children and accompanying mothers.  Young children were rewarded with a star on their forehead and a piece of Juicy Fruit or Teaberry Gum.

At the age of 50, Amelia learned how to swim at the Goodwin Community Center Indoor Pool and succeeded in earning numerous 50-mile certificates from the Red Cross.  She often attributed her senior good health to the fact that she swam three times a week in winter and summer.

Amelia was a devoted life-time member of St. Joseph’s Church in Claremont, serving on the Altar Society, in the Choir and as Organist.  She was the primary writer of the history of St. Joseph’s Church.  For 33 years, she and her sister, Mary Strout, volunteered on a regular basis playing the piano, organ and accordion at the Unity County Home as well as other nursing homes and senior centers.  Her other accomplishments included being an incorporator of the Claremont General Hospital, a Trustee of St. Mary’s Cemetery and a member of the Edgewood Group Home Extension Group.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning, October 27^th at Eleven O’clock at St Joseph Church.

Interment will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to your local food shelf.