Barbara Jane (Troha) Skelton

Barbara Jane (Troha) Skelton passed away January 2, 2022, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She fought hard against the cancer and complications that ended her earthly life, but her passing does not define the wonderful loving human being she was. Everyone who ever met Barbara quickly learned what a caring soul she was and became a part of her extended family of much-loved friends.

Barbara was born in Heidelberg, Germany on November 29, 1951. Her parents, George Troha and Anne Lafferty, met after World War II. Anne Lafferty was born and raised in Cookstown, Country Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and came to Germany and worked as a secretary for the U.S. military. This included her future husband from Georgia, Master Sergeant George Troha. Her paternal grandfather emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s from Slovenia and married a girl from Georgia, where they lived their entire lives together. Her maternal grandparents were native Irish of timeless lineage. Barbara was the second of three daughters born to George and Anne Troha. Although an Army brat, Barbara was fortunate to be raised and loved almost her entire childhood in Hinesville, Georgia surrounded by the large Troha family, and most especially her sisters Helen and Joanne. Unlike her future husband, also an Army brat who had only two cousins, Barbara had been blessed with nine uncles and an aunt, numerous cousins, a grandfather who lived into his early 90s, and grandmother who lived to be 106. Her Irish "Granny" lived to 103, while her Irish aunts all lived into old age. She had very good genes.

Barbara married Richard Skelton in December 1970 in Nuremberg, Germany, where her father was Richard's First Sergeant. There were naysayers concerning such a match, but Barbara and Richard proved to have an enduring, loving marriage. Both always stated that from the first time they met it was the proverbial love at first sight. They married just three months from their first date and remained devoted to each other for fifty-one wonderful years.

Barbara and Richard were blessed with three sons: Richard Jr. (Rick, born in 1972), Robert (1978), and Jeremy (1980). On January 24, 2001, Rick married Michelle Mystkowski at her hometown in Long Island, NY, and in time they gave Barbara and Richard three treasured grandchildren: Theodore (Theo, born in 2002), Ellianna (Elli, 2004), and Samuel (Sam, 2012). Among the most cherished times of Barbara's life was that spent with her grandchildren. This was especially true when opportunities arose for her to conduct "Camp Grandma", several days of pure fun for both Barbara and her grandkids. The first thing the grandkids looked for when they arrived at Grandma's for "Camp" was the schedule of events posted prominently on the refrigerator. A great time was always had by all, most especially Grandma.

After they were married and returned to civilian life from the Regular Army, they lived in Norfolk, VA while Richard attended Old Dominion University. Over the next four years, Barbara shouldered the responsibility of primary bread winner with a U.S. Navy civil service job and gave birth to her first son. After graduation, Richard began a career as a Special Agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Over the next twenty-four plus years Barbara moved with her growing family, keeping the home, and raising her three sons. During this time the NCIS took the Skelton family to Charleston, SC, Norfolk, VA, Washington, DC, Seoul, Korea, Brunswick, GA, back to Norfolk, and then retirement at NCIS Headquarters in Washington, DC.

In 2000, following his retirement from NCIS, Barbara moved with Richard to a new job with the Department of Energy in Albuquerque, NM. Having married very young and starting a family, Barbara had not had the opportunity to attend college. Richard, who knew how gifted his wife truly was, cajoled her into taking classes at Central New Mexico for "fun". Once Barbara started, she was hooked. Barbara discovered she loved going to college, and eventually in 2008 received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico, graduating with a 4.22 grade point average. Barbara was indeed gifted.

During this time, and until 2019, Richard was on active duty twice with the Army (California and Iraq), and in Iraq a second time as a contractor. Barbara maintained the home and made many improvements in anticipation of eventual full retirement for them both. From June 2012 until their full retirement in November 2019, Barbara and Richard lived in Woodbridge, VA, while he worked as a contractor at Quantico, VA. This was the time when "Camp Grandma" really took off, which were some of the very best years of Barbara's life.

After full retirement Barbara continued to improve their home and yard, host friends and family as often as possible, took the Grand Canyon Railroad several times, enjoyed the Balloon Fiesta each year when home, and took two hot air balloon rides, one with her grandkids and a second with very good friends. She also enjoyed floating in the pool during the summer, especially when being visited by grandchildren and friends.

Always very proud of her Irish heritage, Barbara and Richard planned to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in Ireland. Based on her mother's heritage, Barbara had acquired an Irish passport years before in anticipation of the anniversary. Due to Covid and medical issues, the much-desired trip to Ireland did not take place, which was much to their sorrow.

Barbara was immensely proud of her family and enjoyed every minute and day she had with those she loved so very much. Every person who met Barbara came to love her. She was always exuberant, and never was known to criticize or talk down about anyone. Barbara loved people, every shape and size, color, religion, or status in life, and she was cherished and respected in return. Barbara's passing from this life is marked by family and friends with genuine sorrow. This deep sorrow, however, is tempered by the knowledge Barbara had a deep and abiding faith in God. She took great joy in life but gave back much more. Barbara is now at peace and in the company those she loved who passed before her.

A visitation and celebration of life will take place on Monday, January 24, 2022, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at FRENCH - Wyoming. The family wishes those who cannot be present to participate via live streaming from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM, which will be available by clicking on the link below.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for all the prayers, cards, letters, and flowers during this most difficult time.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your favorite charity.