Mary Jo Dickerson, 59
Dan McClelland
Mary Jo Dickerson, 59, died peacefully at her home, 861 Deerland Drive, Long Lake, July 23, 2022 after a long hard fought battle with cancer.
Born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., December 24, 1962 she was the daughter of Marshall, Jr. and Myrna (Cassavaugh) Dickerson.
Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Patrick Skerrett, her mother, one son, James Mitchell, two brothers, Marshall (Tammy Cross) and Maxwell (Crystal Gowdy) Dickerson, one “extra special” sister, Dale Potter, two grandsons, Zachary and Marshall Mitchell, one niece, Miley Dickerson, and “like a brother” Billy Gay, three step children, Lyndsay Austin, Stephen and Thomas Skerrett.
She was predeceased by her father and one granddaughter, Zoey Mitchell.
After graduating Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School in 1980, Mary Jo attended SUNY Plattsburgh, NY receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics in 1984 and Master of Science in Administration in 1989. She taught Home Economics for 13 years at Warrensburg High School, Early Childhood Development at Saratoga BOCES, Principal at Mineville BOCES, and Principal/Superintendent at Long Lake Central School, and retired from an administrative position at FEH Malone in 2017 and returned to Long Lake to “live her dream.”
Mary Jo was a member of Long Lake Rescue Squad, Eastern Star and Lions Club. Her ambitions and determination to succeed were unique and stemmed from her early years in involvement in 4-H always using the motto “busy hands are happy hands.” She enjoyed baking, sewing, hydroponic gardening, her horse and dogs, spent quality time teaching children, and loved all her activities on the lake.
A graveside service will be held at Reber Cemetery, Reber Rd., Willsboro, N.Y., Saturday, August 6 at 10 a.m.
Donations in Mary Jo’s memory may be made to Long Lake Rescue Squad, Box 415, Long Lake, NY 12986