Gloria Skinaway

Gloria Skinaway

January 6, 1940 ~ May 13, 2020 (age 80)

Gloria Jean Skinaway, 'Miskwadibe-ikwezens', 80, of McGregor died Wednesday May 13, 2020 in Aitkin, Minnesota.

Funeral Services will be at 3 pm Monday, May 18, 2020 at the Sandy Lake Burial Grounds in McGregor, MN with traditional services officiated by Vincent Merrill.

Gloria was born January 6, 1940 in Red Lake, Minnesota, the daughter of Eugene Sayers Sr., and Mary (Johns) Sayers. Gloria attended and graduated from the Red Lake High School and enlisted as a Clerk Typist in the United States Women's Army Corps and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She married Clifford Skinaway, July 20, 1962. They had nine children.

Gloria began her clerical career working in various law offices in San Francisco, California as she and Clifford were relocated there through the Indian Relocation Act in 1962-1963. They settled in Minneapolis in 1967 where she worked in Legal Aid offices then later worked with the Indian Health Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs offices in Minneapolis, Bemidji, and Red Lake. She retired in 1999 after working in both Red Lake Tribal Enrollment and Vehicle Registration offices in Red Lake, Minnesota. She then returned to her home in the McGregor area where she lived out her remaining years in the community she loved and was a treasured Elder. Gloria loved to travel with her husband prior to his death and after as well. She loved to visit with her family and friends. She also loved her quiet time watching her daily soap operas and old western movies and her sweet cakes, pies, and candies. She had great love for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Gloria is survived by her five daughters; Sandra Skinaway, Duluth, MN; Lorene Skinaway, Bemidji, MN; Elizabeth (Chris) Skinaway, McGregor, MN; Jean Skinaway-Lawrence, Bemidji, MN; Julie (Orlando) Skinaway, McGregor, MN. Three sons; Clifford Skinaway Jr., McGregor, MN; Monroe Skinaway III, McGregor, MN; Ken (Vanessa) Skinaway, Cloquet, MN. 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. One brother Aaron Sayers, Red Lake, MN and one sister Lorraine Sayers, Red Lake, MN., and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She is reunited with her husband Clifford Skinaway Sr, one daughter Emma Skinaway, and one granddaughter Everleigh Fineday as well her parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Active casketbearers will be Phillip Sayers Sr., Donovan Skinaway, Tyler Pendleton, Tristan Lawrence, Kenny Skinaway, and Orlando Fineday Sr. Honorary casketbearers will be Lorraine Sayers, Aaron Sayers, and all her beloved Family.