Mary Jane Skinner was born Aug. 2, 1929, at home in Peru, Indiana, and passed away on March 17, 2024 at the age of 94½ years old in Santa Barbara.

Mary Jane was the first child for parents Quintin and Clara Dodds. When Mary Jane was a young toddler, her father moved to California in search of employment due to the ongoing depression.

Mary Jane was four years old when her father sent for the family. Mary Jane and her mother took the bus to California to join him in the city of Dominguez, where she would grow up and attend school.

Mary Jane always wanted to have a sister, and her prayers were answered when her baby sister Linda Lee was born and joined the family on Oct. 2, 1941.

Mary Jane and her family were very involved in the First Brethren Church in Compton, California, where she would be introduced to her future husband at the age of 17 years old by her friend Phyllis Skinner.

One day after his discharge from the Navy, she met Leslie James Skinner and after a courtship of three years they were married on Nov. 12, 1949, at their family church.

Les was fortunate to find employment working for the Southern California Gas Company in Long Beach, California, and from there they would be transferred to Ventura, California several years later.

While living in Ventura, Mary Jane worked as the private secretary for the pastor of the First Ventura Baptist Church.

Les was once again transferred, this time to the city of Santa Barbara where they would purchase their first home on the Mesa in 1954 and start their family, having their two daughters, Jane Anne and Nancy Beth Skinner.

The family attended Calvary Baptist Church and later Grace-Shoreline Community Church for over 50 years. Mary Jane enjoyed being a group leader in the women’s Bible Study Fellowship, and was involved in child evangelism, as well as teaching Sunday school. She was known as an amazing warrior praying for many people in her life.

In her free time, she enjoyed participating in quilting groups, making each family member their own unique quilt in the color of their choice; the quilts are treasured keepsakes to this day.

Mary Jane also loved crossword puzzles and was an avid reader.

Les and Mary Jane also loved traveling, having accomplished their goal of visiting all 50 states. Their favorite destinations were visiting New England, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii as they completed their 50th state. Another favorite was visiting Buchart Gardens in Vancouver, Canadam several times.

Becoming a grandmother to Jane’s and son-in-law Gary’s three sons, Kevin James, Matthew Sean, and Sean Garrett Ryan was one of her greatest joys that was fulfilled in 1981.  She loved babysitting them after school, several days a week, where they would enjoy baking cookies, reading stories together, and walking to Shoreline Park to play.

They were very devoted grandparents, blessing the lives of their grandchildren and giving them amazing memories.

When husband Les passed away in 2001, after 52 years of marriage, Mary Jane continued to live at the family home for 20 more years.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Cliff View Terrace for the quality care she received in her last year of life. Special thanks go to Dr. Michael Omlid, Mrs. Murphy and Ruby Rodriquez in administration, as well as her primary caregivers Filipa, Lidia, Arturo, Joaquin and Celia. Mary Jane always commented on the delicious meals she was served, prepared by Arturo and Enrique the amazing chefs.

Mary Jane is survived by her sister Linda Turnbull; niece Paige and nephew Matthew; and family in Ramona, California. She also leaves two daughters Nancy Philbrick, Jane Ryan and husband Gary and grandson Sean Ryan in Santa Barbara; grandson,Kevin and wife Sherry Ryan in Oxnard; and grandson Matthew and wife Jacqueline Ryan in Lompoc.

As a strong Christian believer since the age of 10 years old, Mary Jane lived a life of serving others and spreading God’s word through ministering in her daily life. We know that she is with her Savior now in his eternal kingdom and we are blessed and comforted by that knowledge.

A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 27 at Shoreline Community Church, 935 San Andres St., Santa Barbara, with reception to follow in Grace Hall.