Myrtle Irene Skaggs, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, lived a full and joyful life before passing away on July 12, 2012, at the age of 85. Born on June 1, 1927, to Joe and Wilma Scott in Austin, Texas, she was affectionately known as "Myrt" (short for Myrtle) to family and friends and "Nanny" to her adoring grandchildren and great-grand children.
Myrt was raised in south Austin where she attended Fulmore Middle School and Austin High School. She grew up working at her father's grocery store during the Great
Depression, and in later life would recount stories of roller skating down Congress
Avenue. She also spent many years working at her family's restaurants, the Pioneer Club and Johnson Trading Post.
On April 25, 1950, Myrt married Maurice L. "Pug" Skaggs. The couple eventually settled on Lake Austin where they lived for almost 50 years, raising their children, caring for their grandchildren, and spending many happy times with family and friends. Together, Myrt and Pug devoted countless hours volunteering at St. Louis Catholic Church and St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin.
Myrt loved to cook and bake and was particularly known for her sock-it-to-me cake, pecan pie, and carrot apple salad. She had a fun-loving spirit which was evident every time she and Pug tore up the dance floor. She was fond of working outdoors and had an immaculate lawn and garden to prove it. She also enjoyed restoring old family furniture.
But perhaps her greatest joy was doting on her treasured grandchildren. The textbook definition of a good mother and grandmother, Myrt was always generous when it came to doling out her love and wisdom.
Myrt will be dearly missed by her husband, Pug, of Austin; three sons, Ron Shelton and wife, Judy, of Spicewood; Keith Skaggs and wife, Gail, of Spicewood; and Tim Skaggs and wife, Brenda, of Bee Cave; five grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joe Scott, Jr.
Myrt's family would like to express their gratitude to the caregivers and healthcare providers who demonstrated such love, patience, and compassion towards her during the last several months of her life, particularly those at the Hope Group and Hospice Austin.
Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home Lake Travis in Lakeway on
Monday, July 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and a funeral service will take place at the chapel at Assumption Cemetery in Austin on Tuesday, July 17, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Suite 100, Austin, Texas 78759 or online at www.hospiceaustin.org.