Victorine Skelley Martins

Victorine Skelley Martins, 87, of Fort Lee, New Jersey, died on Thursday, June 26, 2014. Vicky was the loving wife of Anthony P. Martins, M.D. and loving mother of Mark & his wife Andrea, Paul & his wife Teresa, Cindy & her husband Eric King, Michael & his wife Amy Cox-Martins and John & his wife Yasuyo. Cherished grandmother of Justin, Dane, Brendan, Christin, Jessica, Michael, Skyler, Maxx, Sabrina, Declan, Marcus, Isis and Anton. Adored sister to Loretta Bukowski of Pembrooke Pines, Florida and Tommy Skelley of Fort Lee, NJ, as well as to James Skelley, David Skelley, Consuela Lewandowski and Joseph Skelley, who predeceased her. Beloved aunt and grandaunt to many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered fondly by all for her compassion, kindness and Christmas cookies. Vicky was born October 8, 1926 in a house on Parker Avenue in Fort Lee, which is still standing. She was a registered nurse, having graduated from Holy Name Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She worked at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital as the head nurse at the Neurological Institute, in the Fort Lee school system as a substitute nurse and for Macy's in Paramus as the store nurse. She traveled extensively throughout the world, culminating in travel in 1955 to Saudi Arabia to work for Aramco Oil Company, where she met her husband Tony. Vicky and Tony married in India in 1960 and returned to Fort Lee, NJ in 1965, where she lived the rest of her life. She was very active in the Fort Lee community, as well as Madonna Church. In 1980, she was the sole honoree at a testimonial dinner to honor her for her extensive volunteer work in Fort Lee, including her involvement as President of the Women's American Little League, Director of the Enrichment Program, Executive Board of No. 4 School, Executive Board and acting President of the PTA council, President of the Middle School PTA and den mother for the Cub Scouts. She also pioneered and taught the Green Circle Program in School No. 4, an education program which focused on helping children develop an appreciation and understanding of diversity. Vicky was extensively involved in Madonna Church, having served as President of the Rosary Society, Parish Council President, Eucharistic minister both within the church and at local homes for senior citizens, and as a volunteer in the CCD program and numerous church activities, including coordinator of the Church carnival and Inter-Religious Week at Saint Cecilia's. In 2007, she was honored for her work at Madonna Church and named Woman of the Year. Funeral Tuesday 10 AM from the Hunt Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Avenue, Fort Lee. Funeral Mass 11 AM Madonna Church on the Hill, 2070 Hoefley's Lane, Fort Lee. Entombment Madonna Mausoleum. Friends will be received Sunday 2-5 PM and Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.