Sarah (Lynn) Evelyn Skates
It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lynn Skates on August 13, 2014 after a brave and hard fought twenty month battle with lung cancer. Lynn was born on May 14, 1958 in Belfast Northern Ireland to parents Wesley and Isa Nicholl. She is survived by her partner and spouse of twenty six years Barry Watson and their two daughters Emma and Shannon Watson. She is also survived by her mother Isa, brother Allen, sister Jennifer of Northern Ireland and her brother Aubrey of Sarnia Ontario. She was predeceased by her brother Steven of Northern Ireland in 2009. Lynn’s family did not escape the troubles or the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland during the 1970’s; her father was murdered in the family home in June of 1976.
Lynn immigrated to Canada with her new husband in 1979, they settled in Richmond B.C. After the marriage ended Lynn continued to live in Richmond where she met Barry in 1988. Barry, Lynn and Emma moved to Nanaimo in 1994 and Shannon was born a short time later in 1996. Lynn was a great mother to her girls and an extremely hard working person. After Shannon was born, Lynn got a job at the Black Bear Pub as a cook; she worked there for fifteen years. Her Irish stew on St. Patrick’s Day was always a hit and sold out quickly! She will also be sadly missed by her friends and co-workers at the pub.
A special thank you to Dr. Ehman, to the doctors, nurses and health care professionals in the Emergency Department, on the fourth floor and in the Palliative Care Unit at NRGH, you were all so caring, she could not have asked for more! Anyone wishing to make a donation in Lynn’s name to the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated! A celebration of life for Lynn will be held at the Nanaimo Rugby Club on September 27, 2014 @ 2:00 pm, everyone is welcome.