Daily Sitka Sentinel

Georgia Skannes Dies; Former Sitkan was 70

Georgia Carol Skannes

With great sadness, the family has announced Georgia Carol Skannes passed away peacefully Sunday evening, January 3, 2021, at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Washington. She was 70 years old.

Georgia was born May 20, 1950, at Sheldon Jackson to George Skannes and Rose Elliott. In her early life, Georgia attended beauty college in Seattle and began her career in Sitka as a hairdresser.

Later, and throughout her life, she endured a commitment to public service. She had professional pride and served her community with honor. 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; and City and Borough of Sitka Assembly member. Other organizations she was elected to or was involved in included Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ketchikan, Alaska State Museum in Juneau, City and Borough of Sitka Police and Fire Commission, Girl Scouts of Santa Barbara, City of Santa Barbara Circulation and Transportation Committee, City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission, Ketchikan General Hospital Advisory Board, Junior Achievement Adviser, Ketchikan Community Resource Council (chairperson), Ketchikan Visitors Bureau, and Alaska Municipal League Legislative Committee.

She also was recognized for outstanding achievement: Employee of the Year, Ketchikan Indian Corporation; and Business and Professional Woman of the Year. She also was selected for inclusion in “Who’s Who in America” for 1983-1985.

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

She lived most of her life in Alaska, including Sitka, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Later, 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; and John and Joan Skannes and their children Alicia, Camille, and Kevin.

Georgia also is survived by her children and their families: Richard Scott and Roberta Dapcevich, and his children Pearl and Cece; Steven James and his children, Brittni, Alexandria, and Alexander; and 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.

A gathering will be held to commemorate Georgia at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 20, at Bayview Cemetery in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Those who want to reach out to the family can email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .