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Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton, Mother of Gov’t Minister & PWD Director passes

- The matriarch of the Skelton family to be laid to rest on Monday April 30, 2018
Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton will be laid to rest on Monday April 30, 2018. Photo: Team of Reporters
The late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton was the mother of Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, left, and Director of the Public Works Department Mr Jeffery M. Skelton, right. Photo: VINO/File
The late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton was the mother of Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, left, and Director of the Public Works Department Mr Jeffery M. Skelton, right. Photo: VINO/File
The late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton was the grandmother of social commentator and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
The late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton was the grandmother of social commentator and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Family, friends and persons from all walks of life are mourning the passing last week of Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton, regarded as the matriarch of the Skelton family.

She passed away on April 17, 2018 at the age of 96. Throughout her long life she was a strong family woman, a nurse and a homemaker.

Many popular children

The late matriarch has many well known sons and daughters, including Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, who is the Minister for Health and Social Development, and Jeffery M. Skelton, the Director of the Public Works Department. Social commentator and former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline is her grandson.

She is survived by seven sons: Ira Oliver, Clifton, Jeffery, Joseph Revo, Phillip, Ellis Allan and Hon Skelton.

The deceased is also survived by four daughters; Rosetta Georges, Cheryl Malone, Anniebelle Skelton and AnnaBelle ‘Hillary’ Skelton-Malone, who is the Government’s Head of the Department of Information Technology.

Service details

The Memorial Service for the late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton will take place on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Huntum’s Ghut, Tortola. Viewing will commence at 9:30 A.M. followed by the service at 11:00 A.M. The final resting place for Mrs Skelton will be with her husband, Mr Ellis A. Skelton, at the Johnson’s Ghut cemetery.

According to a family spokesman, due to the very limited parking at the Kingdom Hall, a shuttle service is being provided, from the Scout’s Building parking lot (adjacent to the Althea Scatliffe Primary School) beginning at 8:45 A.M., and will be running every 10 minutes, to and from the Kingdom Hall. The final shuttle will depart at 10:45 A.M. for the Service.

Additionally, according to the family, “for persons attending from the USVI, the Road Town Fast Ferry will be departing Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas at 8:00 A.M. and returning to the USVI, from the Tortola Pier Park at 3:30 P.M. following the funeral service. A complimentary shuttle will be offered from the Tortola Pier Park [to the] Kingdom Hall and back.”

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) led a moment of silence for the late Benjamin-Skelton while in the House of Assembly today, April 27, 2018.

The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online offer our condolences to the immediate family of the late Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton and other loved ones.

12 Responses to “Ellen L. Benjamin-Skelton, Mother of Gov’t Minister & PWD Director passes”

  • gkefkkdakxq (27/04/2018, 13:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rip
  • another (27/04/2018, 13:52) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Beautiful soul has passed. My condolences to the family.
  • Town Lady (27/04/2018, 13:53) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    May she Rest In Peace. A beautiful caring lady she was.
  • pat (27/04/2018, 14:33) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a beautiful and caring person rest until we meet
  • Rag Up (27/04/2018, 15:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Miss Benjamin was a beautiful jewel from a great and precious generation. Thank god for people like you who taught us what it means to be real.
  • imagine that (27/04/2018, 15:45) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    Imagine the Leader of the Opposition led a moment of silence for the mother of the Minister of Health and the NDP Government that the Minister works with didn't even honor the life of the late mother of their Minister of Health. WHAT A SHAME!!! NDP just evil.
    • sam the man (27/04/2018, 23:39) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      well they got Ronnie to kill because others in the party support him to be Finance Minister that's all.

      RIP sister Ellen in Jehovah’s arms
    • @ imagine that (29/04/2018, 09:39) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      It shows how wicked the ndp is that Andrew had to call for the moment of silence but truth be told Andrew was promted by big d, but he had the courage to do it. Dr Smith and them no good.

      We done tell Ronnie come out from amoung them! Now on the day of the funeral dr smith and the rest going be taking up all the seats acting like they care
  • --------------------- (27/04/2018, 15:52) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    matriarch of the Skelton family for sure, sleep on
  • Interested (27/04/2018, 16:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Beautiful lady.Rest in peace until the resurrection.
  • Hmmm... (30/04/2018, 09:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is inserting politics into this discussion really necessary? Can't we say farewell without the negativity? Are NOT better than this? I mean REALLY!!!


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