Janice Ellen Skalba

July 28, 1943 - April 3, 2020

Janice Ellen Skalba, of Harper Woods, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020 at the age of 76. She was born July 28, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Pascal And Alice (Pereny) Pettine. Janice grew up in Detroit and graduated from Denby High School. She attended Wayne State University and went on to work for Blue Cross and Blues Shield of Michigan. In the early 1960's Janice met a gentleman named Leonard Joseph Skalba, Jr. and together, on November 14, 1964 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Detroit, would start a union that would last over 55 years. From this union came three children and granddaughter. Janice was a woman of many talents and hobbies. She enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening, sewing, making greeting cards and correspondence. She had a strong talent for making her own hand-made greeting cards and was always sending them to family members and friends. Above all of Janice loved to take care of people. "The way you treat each other" was most important to her. She had a kind heart and gentle soul that touched so many people throughout her life. Although she left Blue Cross and Blue Shield to stay at home and raise her children, she was definitely more than just a typical "stay at home mom." She took it to the next level and not only took care of her children and family, she took care of whoever walked through the door. She was everybody's "Mom","Grandma" or "Aunt Jan". Her kindness to all, her loving spirit to treat each other well and with respect and most of all to just Love, will be missed by not only her family and friends, but all the people she came in contact with over the years. Janice is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Leonard. Adored and loving mother of Sharon McLeod (Paul Perakes), Michael Skalba and Timothy Skalba. Proud and precious grandmother of Megan McLeod, MD MS. Dear sister of Marilyn Giardini and Kenneth Pettine. Janice is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.