Mary Ann Belden Skinner

Mary Ann Skinner, 63 died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 after a 2-year spirited battle with a terminal illness. She died peacefully at home in Tulsa which she has occupied for more than 19 years. A celebration and memorial of Mary Ann's Life will be held Nov. 6th, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Downtown Tulsa at 10 am. She was born in Concho, Ok, Jan. 2, 1946 to Florene and Bill Belden. Mary Ann was a proud member of the Absentee Tribe of Shawnee Ok. After graduating from Norman High School she married Clarence (Budd) William Skinner, and gave birth to her only child Kristen Paige Skinner who was born in Norman on May 20, 1970. She began her media career at KOMA AM radio in OKC. The experience she gained from radio, led her to her career in advertising at KOCO TV. Her career took her to unbelievable heights, which she herself could not believe. Her personality and love for life made Mary Ann an icon in OKC. She was recruited away to Denver in 1984. Missing her native home she decided to move back to Tulsa in 1985. One of her many accomplishments was the BELL award in 2005, from AWRT, as an outstanding member. With her new life in Tulsa, Mary Ann found support and life long friendships. There are some people who drift in and out of your life...and then there are the people who stay in your heart forever, THAT is Mary Ann. Her journey with Cox Media became a very successful one for her. She was National Sales Manager, and was very well respected by her peers and clients. Although she was near retirement from COX Media after 20 years, her short illness did not keep her from gaining a loving relationship. Rick Verity brought a joy that she had yet to experience in life. Both were determined to beat the illness together so they could continue their life together. Mary Ann will never be forgotten with that big smile on her face. Mary Ann is survived by her mother, Florene Belden-Kohn, her father Bill Belden and Step mother Lois Jean, her daughter, Kristen Skinner, her Aunt Jeanne Stephens and Uncle Brad Stephens, Lowanda Abraham, Thomas Abraham, Mark and Londa from Dallas, Uncle Bill Johnson and numerous others. Leave a memory by visiting Hayhurstfh.com and clicking online tributes.Submitted by family

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Published in The Norman Transcript from Nov. 5 to Nov. 7, 2009.