Marilyn A. (Trotta) Skermont

UTICA - Marilyn A. (Trotta) Skermont, age 72, went home to the Lord when she passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 22, 2022. Born in Utica on May 11, 1950, Marilyn was the daughter of the late Francis and Madeline (Milucci) Trotta. Raised and educated locally, she graduated with a Regents Diploma from T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1967. She continued her education at SUNY Oneonta where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Educational Psychology. She began her post graduate course work at the SUNY Cortland/Utica program where she received her Permanent New York State Teaching Certification in Elementary Education, Nursery, and K-6 grades, and also earned 30 Graduate Hours in Reading. She then enrolled in Utica College of Syracuse University where she completed Math Course Work and received her Permanent New York State Teaching Certification in Math 7-9 grades, and also earned 24 Graduate Hours in Math. Lastly, she enrolled in the SUNY Cortland Graduate Program where Marilyn received her Certificate of Advanced Studies in School Administration and her Permanent New York State School District Administration Certification (SDA) as well as 36 Graduate Hours (CAS). At one time, Marilyn was married to Paul Skermont, and to that union came the blessing of their only daughter. Marilyn was the first woman appointed as Superintendent of the Utica City School District, a position she held from 2006 until her retirement in 2009. Her interpersonal skills and gentle demeanor made her an excellent communicator and mediator. She made sound decisions in her leadership role in overseeing personnel matters and informing and supporting the Board of Education. She was a professional who worked well with teachers, principals, administrators, staff, parents, and students. After she retired, Marilyn wrote grants for the Rescue Mission of Utica and successfully obtained the funds needed through her grant-writing expertise. For years, she consistently contributed to many charities, especially those involving children and veterans. Marilyn’s term of endearment for all her loved ones was “Dolly”. She always put her family first, especially her daughter Kelly who was her pride and joy. Her sisters Adrienne and Francine were so very near and dear to her heart, and she loved spending time with them even if it was just talking on the phone. She missed her parents and brothers so, and mentioned them often. She had a love of plants and flowers and could grow them like no other. Gift-giving and finding the perfect items for everyone was a joy for her. Her favorite team was definitely the NY Yankees, and in recent years she became a Las Vegas Raiders fan. There wasn’t a Hallmark movie she hadn’t seen and she always looked forward to the new ones. A member of the Zonta Club of Utica for several years, she loved everything the club stood for and all it helped. She enjoyed being a part of the annual brunch every year. At one time she served as the club’s president. The family offers a special thank you to Greg St. Denis for being the incredibly loving, attentive son she never had. His daily kindness, love, and care was second to none and she loved him dearly, as he loved her. She so enjoyed watching baseball, football, and even wrestling and UFC with her “Greggy”. Marilyn’s great-niece, Megan, wrote a heart-felt tribute to share her insights with all who knew and loved her aunt: “On December 22, heaven gained the sweetest angel that has ever walked this earth. My great-aunt Marilyn was taken from us way too soon. I have never met anyone in my life as pure as my aunt. She was very involved with charity work and it always inspired me to help when others needed it. She was the Superintendent of Utica City schools through my middle school years, and nobody loved helping young kids as she did. She was a devout Catholic and NEVER passed judgment, and never even said a sour word about anyone, even if they wronged her. She loved me for me. She loved my photography and makeup and always reminded me how proud she was of me. Just earlier this year she had me draw her eyebrows on for fun to see if she would like it, and she did! When I was at my lowest this year, she opened her arms to me and helped me out. I got to spend a bit of time with her, and I’ll never forget the stories she told me. She loved with her all. There’s a piece of my heart that will never be filled, now that she’s no longer here. But her memory will hold strong with us and the community. It’s devastating, but God must have needed her pure heart to add to his host of angels”. To know Marilyn was to know love, which she gave abundantly and freely. Her soft-spoken, humble desire to listen and offer moral support and inspiration was a gift of grace God gave to her. She was a devout Catholic who never wavered from her faith in the Lord. She was a communicant of Historic Old St. John’s Church. Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Kelly Skermont and Greg St. Denis; her sister and brother-in-law, Adrienne and Louis Kloster; her twin sister, Francine Trotta; and the memory of her brothers, Dominick Trotta, and Joseph Trotta who preceded her. She also leaves her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins; in-laws, Anita Trotta, and Helen Trotta; her lifelong friends, Francis Komiak, Carla Percia, Bernadette Kapps, and Diane Fortugno Skermont prior to her passing in 2015; and her longtime co-workers. Marilyn also leaves behind her dog ‘Storm’ and her grand-dog ‘Schotzie’ whom she loved to pet and reward with treats. These loyal canine companions loved her as much as she loved them. The family would like to thank her longtime physician, Dr. Arul Kannan for his care and medical guidance; and the doctors and staff of the ICU at MVHS at St. Elizabeth Medical Center for their constant care and compassion. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Marilyn’s Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday afternoon, December 31 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church, 240 Bleecker St., Utica. There will be an opportunity to greet the family at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marilyn’s name may be directed to the American Diabetes Association online at https://diabetes.org/ or by mail to https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/by-mail. Envelopes will also be available at the service. Entombment will take place in Christ Our Savior Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

Marilyn A. (Trotta) Skermont

May 11, 1950 - December 22, 2022