Sara E. Skillman

Sara was a gifted artist, known in the Chautauqua County area for her lovely watercolor and pen and ink paintings of wildlife and landscapes. She called her collection of paintings “Natural Glimpses.” In her talent, she took after her late artist father, David L. Lawrence. She loved animals, singing and playing her guitar, listening to folk, country, and other types of music, writing songs, poems and memoirs and creating colorful tapestries. She was a gentle, kind, creative soul.

Sara was born in Jamestown, NY and grew up in Bemus Point, NY, the oldest child of David L. Lawrence and the late Elizabeth “Betty” Lawrence (nee Bugbee). A graduate of Maple Grove High School in Bemus Point, Sara then earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from Fredonia State College.

Sara worked in various occupations during her life. In her 20s, she worked in a school as an art teacher. Later she applied her talents as a craftsperson and artist when she was the proprietor of a gift shop in Bemus Point. For much of her life, she worked as a home health aide. While at Fredonia, Sara met ex-husband, Frederick “Andy” Anderson, originally from Mayville. Together, they had a son, Jason.

Besides her parents and ex-husband Mitchell Welch, Sara was predeceased by her beloved husband of 23 years, David J. Skillman, who passed away Oct. 29, 2021. She and David lived in Dewittville, NY.

Sara’s survivors include her son Jason Anderson; her sisters Emily Colo (Cliff) and Wendy Richards (Steve); her brothers Brian B. Lawrence (Sue) and Charles Lawrence (Carol Anne Cohen); special cousin, Diane Evans; her ex-husband Frederick “Andy” Anderson; several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A private graveside ceremony of remembrance for Sara will be held in Fluvanna Cemetery this summer.

The family requests that donations be made in Sara’s memory to an animal shelter of the donor’s choice.