Helen Skelton

HELEN LUCILLE SAND WICKER SKELTON

            Helen Lucille Sand Wicker Skelton was born August 31, 1930, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Helen passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, at Aspens Fort Collins, a memory care residence in Fort Collins, Colorado. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1948. Helen worked for Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company from 1948 to 1951, for Mountain Bell from 1967 to 1983, and for AT&T Communications from January 1, 1984, to 1986. She retired August 31, 1986. Positions Helen held during her career with the telephone company include: toll and directory assistance operator, directory assistance office supervisor, and traffic department instructor. For two years she was also a state observer in a Denver-based office. While Helen was employed at AT&T, she was a member of the Competitive Culture Council from 1984 to 1986 and a Colorado Springs area officer for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

            As a retiree living in Ponce de Leon, Florida, Helen was a member of the Town Council for the town of Ponce de Leon in 1996 and 1997. Her hobbies included quilting, ceramics, home decorating, working with computers, playing the piano, and enjoying antiques. Her last years were spent living in Fort Collins, Colorado, with her daughter, Pamela Reed.

            Helen was married first to James Dallace Wicker, Sr. (deceased 1988), with whom she had six children, Paula Spinner of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Pamela Reed of Fort Collins, Colorado, James Wicker of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Helen Lucille Wicker (“Baby” Wicker, deceased only days after birth in 1958), Peggy Dyer of Mount Vernon, Washington, and Paul Wicker (deceased 2023). Helen married Lyford “Skelly” Skelton in 1982, after her divorce from J.D. Wicker. Skelly passed away in 2005.

            Helen is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.