Margaret Skillings

         Margaret ‘Marg’ Skillings, daughter of Evelyn Skillings (2000) passed on Thursday February 27 2025 at Sakura House, surrounded by family.

         Marg is survived by her sister Marlene Gillespie, and nieces and nephews Jeremy Gillespie (Nikki), Jen Gillespie, Cody Zimmer (Megan), Zack Zimmer (Jenn), and Lainy Zimmer (Sean).  Marg is also survived by eight great nieces and nephews, and one great great nephew.  Marg was Branch Manager for over 20 years at Scholastic Book Fairs and after that she worked at Princess Auto for 10 years until retirement. 

         Celebration of life to follow Spring 2025.  Details of the Celebration will be shared here once decisions have been made.

The following was written in 2005 unabridged, by writer John Thompson. Used with permission.

MARG SKILLINGS “Doc's Blues Girl” Hometown – Woodstock, ON

A timid 7-year-old second baseman catching a fly-ball in Woodstock's Victoria Park was the dawn of a career that would take Marg Skillings to the International Fastball stage. In the early years, Marg patrolled the outfield when not pitching for City Wide Cleaners in Woodstock, a team that copped several Provincial championships. As a teenager, she was converted to the hot corner at 3rd base, and continued to toe the rubber. At age 16, Marg advanced to senior ranks with the Simcoe Stars and St. Mary's Intermediates and eventually with the Milverton Suns in 1970, and three Provincial Championships (1977-79) and two Canadian All-Star selections in '77 and '79. 

Marg's cat-like defensive skills earned her the nick-name “Brooks”, in reference to major league baseball's Brooks Robinson – the ultimate compliment. As well, she was a relief pitcher before it became fashionable, frequently ambling from 3rd base to the pitcher's circle, exercising good control with a tantalizing change-up that got the important final out in crucial situations with runners on base. 

Marg's memorable season was 1978, when she joined the legendary Doc's Blues team in British Columbia, a squad that trained year-round and represented Canada at the '78 World Championships in El Salvador. The team earned silver medals. The team was inducted into Softball BC Hall of Fame in 1990. 

Marg retired the following season, and embarked on a coaching career with St. Clements Suns, winning Canadian silver in 1985. In early 90's, she coached Woodstock's Hunter Steel team, and as an avid hockey enthusiast, she played and coached women's hockey, winning a provincial championship with Woodstock Wildcats in 1996.

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Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock, Ontario has been entrusted with Final Arrangements.  Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca