Obituary

It is with great sadness to announce, Georgia Carol Skannes passed away peacefully Sunday evening, January 3, 2021 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington.

Georgia was born at Sheldon Jackson in Sitka on May 20, 1950 to George Skannes and Rose Elliott. She was 70 years old.

In her early life, Georgia attended Beauty College in Seattle and began her career in Sitka, as a hair dresser. Later, and throughout her life, she endured a lifelong commitment to public service. She had professional pride and stood honorable to her community. She was devoted to protecting the people’s rights and livelihoods. She was a strong voice for the Alaska Natives as she herself was Tlingit. She held many elected titles, most notably, Ketchikan City Council Member and Vice Mayor and Deputy Mayor, City & Borough of Sitka Assembly. Additional organizations she was elected to or was involved in: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ketchikan, State Museum in Juneau, City & Borough of Sitka Police and Fire Commission, Girl Scouts of Santa Barbara, City of Santa Barbara Circulation and Transportation Committee, City & Borough of Juneau Planning Commission, Ketchikan General Hospital Advisory Board, Junior Achievement Advisor, Ketchikan Community Resource Council (Chairperson), Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, Alaska Municipal League Legislative Committee. She was also recognized for outstanding achievement: Employee of the year, Ketchikan Indian Corporation, Business and Professional Woman of the year. She was also selected for inclusion of “Who’s Who in America” 1983-1985.

Georgia’s passion was art. She was an articulate oil based painter and loved nature photography.

She had lived most of her life in Alaska including Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau. It was later that she moved to Santa Barbara, California and then to Washington State.

Georgia lived a life of integrity and was a social person. Her life was about spending time with family and friends laughing and hugging.

She is survived by her brothers and their families; Steve and Patti Skannes, their children Jason and Lisa. John and Joan Skannes, their children Alicia, Camille, and Kevin.

Georgia is also survived by her children and their families; Richard Scott and Roberta Dapcevich, his children Pearl and Cece. Steven James and his children Brittni, Alexandria, and Alexander. Nicole Joy and Jose Tibbitts and their child Rufina.

With certainty, Georgia would want to be remembered for how proud she was to be a grandma.