May (Ellie) T Skinner, loving wife of David B Skinner, passed away peacefully in Victor, NY on October 28, 2026, after a brief illness. Born January 24,1935 in Rochester, NY, Ellie was raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio where she attended Laurel School. She pursued a BA from the University of Rochester that included studying piano at the Eastman school of Music. While at college she met her future husband. Ellie graduated and was married in 1956. It was the start of their 46 year-long adventure and partnership.

They started their first three years of their marriage in New Haven, CT where Ellie taught high school history. Over the next 13 years, they moved every few years, both across the country and internationally, and had four daughters. Ellie became an indispensable advisor and partner in David’s flourishing career. Between endless carpooling and her children’s various activities, she continued playing the piano, sang in the Townson Presbyterian church choir, and played bridge and tennis, both lifelong passions.

In 1972 they moved to Chicago when David was recruited as Chairman of Surgery at the University of Chicago. They spent the next fifteen years there. Ellie developed into a wonderful and gracious host, sang in the Fourth Presbyterian Church Choir, and continued her piano studies at the American Conservatory of Music of Chicago. In the mid 1970’s, she won a piano competition and performed as a piano soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Later she turned her focus to two piano works. By 1987, Ellie had successfully launched all her daughters off to college and beyond. This achievement was rapidly followed by a move to New York City where David accepted the position of President and CEO of New York Hospital. Her experience as a host served her well as they entertained and fundraised for the hospital. Ellie sang in the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church choir and joined a great book club. She spent the last 14 years of her life splitting her time between her home in Michigan and her daughter’s home in Victor, NY enjoying various family gatherings. She was a very much-loved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great friend. Ellie has held the center of all our lives over her 91 years.

Ellie was predeceased by her mother, Dr. Linda Schneider and her loving husband of 46 years, Dr. David B Skinner. She is survived by her four daughters: Dr. Linda S Callans, Dr. Kristin A Skinner, Carise B Skinner (Roger H D Rowley) and Dr. Margaret L Skinner (Mark L Chisamore); her six grandchildren: Christopher D Callans, Dr. Lauren E Callans, Anra M B Rowley, Ian D S Rowley, Kaitlyn M S Chisamore, and William L S Chisamore and four great grandchildren. A private burial is planned. A celebration of life is being organized for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DAVID B AND MAY T SKINNER FOUNDATION, C/O Robert Napier, 333 W Wacker Dr., Suite 1700, Chicago, IL 60606-1247. To share a memory please visit www.fingerlakescremationllc.com.