Myrtle (McCracken) Skates of East Hartford passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 25, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

She is pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years Stewart W. Skates, her sister Maude (McCracken) McMurray and both her mother and father.

Born in Northern Ireland on January 21, 1940 she worked as a typesetter before she came to the United States in 1960 married and started a family.  While her children were growing up she worked part time at O'Connell School in East Hartford.  As her children got older, she started her 20+ year career at the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company in 1982 where she held various positions before retiring in 2002, it was then that she and Stewart started traveling and enjoyed their time together, now that the children were all grown and on their own.  Myrtle was also an avid reader who was known to read a novel in one day.

Myrtle is survived by her 2 children Kimberly Serksnas and her husband Paul of South Windsor, Scott Skates and his wife Lisa of Berlin, 4 grandchildren Ryan and Eric Serksnas; Danielle and Justin Skates.  She is also survived by a brother-in-law Desmond McMurray, a sister-in-law June (Skates) Humphries and her husband Wille, several nieces and nephews all of Northern Ireland.

The family would like to give special thanks to Beverly, who cared for her and to the staff at Brookdale Mountain Laurel Memory Care for all their service.

A private service will be held at the convenience of the family.

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