Skirmantas, who passed away on March 16, 2026, was remembered during a ceremony for her extensive work with downtown revitalization efforts, local historical organizations, and the Lithuanian Heritage Museum. Her husband, Peter Skirmantas, accepted the honor on her behalf during the annual Heritage Day and Kielbasi Festival celebration sponsored by Downtown Shenandoah Incorporated.
During the ceremony, speakers reflected on Skirmantas’ impact on Shenandoah and the greater coal region.
State Sen. Dave Argall praised her dedication to the community and her role in preserving local history through the Lithuanian Museum and other cultural initiatives. Representatives Dane Watro and Tim Twardzik also presented a proclamation recognizing her contributions to the borough.
According to a proclamation read by Shenandoah Mayor Bob Cook, Skirmantas was a graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School’s Class of 1975 and earned degrees from Syracuse University in television-radio production and education counseling. While living in California, she supervised youth employment and training programs and later taught English in Lithuania before eventually returning to Shenandoah.
The proclamation highlighted her leadership with Downtown Shenandoah Incorporated and the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society, as well as her efforts directing the relocated Lithuanian Heritage Museum and helping establish the Paschal Room Historical Society Museum.
Skirmantas also authored several books documenting local history and heritage, including “Images of Shenandoah” and “Lithuanians in Schuylkill County,” while also co-authoring a photographic remembrance of St. George’s Church. She additionally established scholarships for Shenandoah Valley students through the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation.
In emotional remarks, Peter Skirmantas described his wife as a passionate traveler, educator, and ambassador for Shenandoah wherever she went.
“She always said Shenandoah was her home,” he told the crowd. “Every year she came back here usually for this particular event.”
Peter Skirmantas also spoke about his wife’s belief in understanding and respecting people of different backgrounds, saying travel helped shape her worldview and reinforced the importance of treating others with compassion and dignity.
“We need to remember when we see recent immigrants, that was us or our grandparents 150 years ago, 100 years ago,” he said. “We all have something in common. We have more in common than we have anything that divides us.”
He added that his wife believed communities should never lose sight of shared humanity and the desire for a better future for families and future generations.
“If you did know her, you know exactly what I mean,” he said. “She’s a hell of a woman.”
Invocation of the ceremony was by Fr. Kirill Zawatski of th Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville with the national anthem sung by Gabriella Fugon, a graduate of Shenandoah Valley.
