Mandy Skala, 66
Mandy Lee Skala-Williams
April 6, 1958 — Nov. 5, 2024
Do not cry because it’s over but smile because it happened.
This is the story of Mandy Lee Skala-Williams, small in stature but so large in life. She was loved, is missed and cannot be replaced. Her story begins April 6, 1958, in Leicester, England. She was raised in Nottingham by her grandparents, uncles and aunts. At age 10, she moved to California to reconnect with her mom, but unfortunately, it did not work out. Richard Du Puis took over legal guardianship and raised her as his own in his beautiful Pasadena home with many siblings.
Mandy was an eternal optimist. Despite many obstacles, she put herself through college, accumulating a list of honorable credentials. With her heart set on the medical field, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Loma Linda in 1985. If you knew Mandy, you wouldn’t doubt that she scored the Summa CumLaude, the highest level of achievement. As well as a master's degree in microbiology from Loma Linda and tutored while she was a student at San Bernardino Valley College for Microbiology.
Right after marrying and having daughter Jessie Jo Skala, Mandy moved to Athol, Idaho, getting hired at Kootenai Medical Center in 1996, where she worked for the next 28 years. Her first title in the lab was Clinical Laboratory Scientist (ASCP), and her last title was Medical Laboratory Scientist II. She loved working at KMC and had many dearly beloved friends. She even went back after a few months of being retired. She will be remembered as a legend who wore hip Doc Martens and loved to offer help around the lab.
She had a great passion for all plants, flowers, herbs, bugs, and animals. When she lived in Athol with her daughter, she provided a beautiful home on a 20-acre horse ranch with dogs, cats, pigs and five retired racehorses. Nobody could believe the work this woman did on her own to maintain the property. Not too far from Athol, she took great pleasure in being part of the Bayview Ee-da-haw Garden Club for many years. In 2012, she was chosen as the Queen of Bayview. Some things people may not know about Mandy for a few years, she bought a small sailboat she named Seasocks. She loved to sail on Lake Pend Oreille.
After she moved to Coeur d’Alene, to live with husband Steve Williams, she continued expanding her master-gardening skills. She was currently working towards her Master of Gardening Certificate. She loved to fill her time gardening for friends, adventures with Steve and loving her dogs.
We should all strive to have a heart like Mandy. She was nothing but always welcoming and accepting of people. Her smile lasted miles, even now, exuding positive energy around all those who knew her. Survived here in Idaho by husband Steve Williams; and daughter Jessie Jo Skala; her father, Richard Du Puis; siblings Richard ‘Rick’ O’Neill, Neal O’Neill, Jodi McKee and Brock O’Neill. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita Blair; older sister Daneen ‘Nini’ O’Neill and others.
Service for Mandy will be held at the Altar Church 901 E. Best Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. with a potluck and gathering afterward. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Altar Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Program.
Online condolences may be found at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
Skala