Jeneal England Skeen Thomas Obituary (1928 - 2017)

JeNeal England Skeen Thomas Click here to listen to the funeral recording. Our sweet mother, grandma and great-grandma (aka "Grandma Jet'), 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Plain City, on Tuesday, October 31st. We are fairly certain that her first word as she danced through the veil was "finally!" She was, as she often reminded us, the last of the England sisters and cousins. Mom was born on May 18, 1928, the fourth of five daughters born to Merlin and Florence Taylor England. She grew up on her dad's farm in Plain City, a real challenge to the girl who always hated dirt. She attended Plain City School through the 10th grade, graduating from Weber County High School in 1946. In July of 1948, she met a tall, handsome sailor, Don Skeen. He completely swept her off her feet and six weeks later, on September 17, 1948, they were married in Plain City. Her sisters always told her that Dad was "one in a million." After a short time in San Diego during the Korean War, Dad and Mom settled in Plain City to raise us, surrounded by our extended family. We were sealed as an eternal family in the Salt Lake Temple on September 17, 1968. Mom was a member of the Plain City 2nd Ward and had many years of service in all of the organizations. She had a strong testimony and abiding love of Jesus Christ and the scriptures. She was proud of her pioneer heritage and was a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Plain City Camp. In 1958 she applied at the new Western Service Center of the IRS. She wanted to work just long enough to earn money for a family trip to a new amusement park called Disneyland. Mom retired 26 years later, as a section chief in Data Conversion. She cherished the lasting friendships she made there. Mom was our biggest supporter, fan and cheerleader. She taught us to serve others, to do our best, to be independent, and most important of all, to get the ZCMI bill out of the mailbox before Dad got home. In April of 1985, Dad had a debilitating stroke that shattered their retirement plans. We learned so much about love and sacrifice as she cared for him for the next five years. He died at home on February 6, 1990. Vowing never to remarry, she threw herself into supporting the many activities of her seven grandchildren, Brett, Christopher, Mandee, Gage, Brody, Hayley and Taylor. In 1998, she met her second "one in a million" guys, Bobbie Thomas. They were married on July 24, 1999 in Plain City and she moved to his home in Blossom, where she was welcomed by friends and neighbors. Bob and JeNeal spent ten happy years together. We loved "Grandpa Bob" and he grew to be an important part of our family. He died suddenly on Sept 29,2008. Mom moved back to her home in Plain City where she spent the rest of her life. Mom had such tiny feet but left big footprints for us to carry on with the love and service she so freely gave to our family and others. Mom loved her family, friends, shoes, going out to lunch, Diet Coke and most of all, anything chocolate. She was famous for her yummy treats, especially her strawberry pies. She is survived by her daughters; Kathy (Ron) Hadley, Plain City and Kim (Ken) Dixon, West Haven; 7 grandchildren; Brett (Amie) Hadley, Christopher (Kristin) Hadley, Mandee (Jamie) Hipwell, Gage (Christina) Dixon, Brody Dixon, Hayley (Brandon) Alberts and Taylor (Chelsie) Hadley; 21 great-grandchildren; Saige, Ashlyn (currently serving in the Panama City, Panama Mission), Blake, Sophie, Brinley, Spencer, Avery, Garret, Millie, Alexia, Haden, Kade, Kamri, Briggs, Jett, Tyson, Hadley, Hudson, Ashley, Harmony and Gavin; sisters-in-law; Jean Pledger, Joan Young and Lorraine Skeen; step-children, Lee (Jean) Thomas; Milt (Sue) Thomas; and Annette (Steve) Hancock; many nieces and nephews, and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by Don, Bob, her four sisters; Anna Myrle, Lucille, Norma and Edna; and a stepson, Rob Thomas. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Plain City 2nd Ward, 2992 N 4200 W, Plain City. A viewing will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the LDS Humanitarian Fund. Interment, Plain City Cemetery VisitationPlain City 2nd Ward 2952 N 4200 W Plain City, Utah 84404 November 3, 2017 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServicePlain City 2nd Ward 2952 N 4200 W Plain City, Utah 84401 November 4, 2017 11:00 AM BurialPlain City Cemetery 4373 W 1975 N Plain City, UT 84404 November 4, 2017