Janet Ruth (Pinney) (Williams) Skauge

Janet Ruth Pinney Williams Skauge passed away peacefully at her home in Commerce on February 11, 2022, following a short battle with cancer. She was born on October 25, 1943, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Wilbur L. and Mildred Marie Norris Pinney.    A Celebration of Life is planned for March 26, 2022 at 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Commerce.  A reception will follow the service.

Janet graduated from Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois in 1961. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree from East Texas State University in 1977. She enjoyed a forty plus year career as a realtor/broker as well as owner of Janet Williams Real Estate. She was a member of the Hunt County Board of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and served on the Board of the Adjustment and Housing Task Force for the City of Commerce. Many say that Janet “sold” Commerce as well as houses; she so loved Commerce and shared her passion with people considering moving to the area.

Janet’s community involvement included serving with the Girl Scouts, United Way, Meals on Wheels, PTA, University Dames, Commerce Public Library, Commerce Leadership Institute, International Wine & Food Society, Commerce Economic Development Corporation, Order of Eastern Star, Commerce Chamber of Commerce, and Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. She was a founding member of the International Wine & Food Society in Commerce as well as a founding member of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. She was honored by the Commerce Chamber of Commerce with the Distinguished Community Service Award in 1997. Janet was a member of First United Methodist Church, Commerce, then Wesley UMC in Sulphur Springs. She was devoted to visiting many friends, including those in long-term care facilities, where she delivered a devotional booklet with each visit.

Janet married Gordon “Pat” Skauge on January 6, 2007, at First United Methodist Church in Commerce, Together, they cherished their commitment to the Wesleyan Sunday School class, gardening, volunteering, attending Wine and Food events, and meals at Webb Hill Country Club.

Janet is survived by her loving husband of fifteen years, Gordon Donovan “Pat” Skauge; brother, Jerry Carlisle Pinney and wife, Terri Gierke, daughter, Leah Marie Williams Gardner and husband, Thomas “Mike”; grandson Thomas Urvin Gardner IV, and wife, Jasmine; great grandson, Rhett Thomas Gardner; daughter Alice Irene Williams Ellenburg and husband, Joe; grandson, Christopher Baron Philips, daughter, Rebecca Susan Williams Crawford and husband, Charles, grandson, Caleb William Crawford, granddaughter, Abigail Ruth Crawford, as well as many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur L., and Mildred Marie Norris Pinney, as well as her brother, James, L. Pinney.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum in Janet’s memory, https://netxcm.com/index.php/support/donate. Mailing address: PO Box 994, Commerce, TX 75429.

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