Sally Skinner Equinoa

Born Sally Bennington Skinner in Palo Alto, California, Sally was the youngest of two children born to Walter Edward Skinner and Ruth Bernice Bennington Skinner. Sally passed away in San Luis Obispo, California on December 5, 2025, at the age of 79. She was surrounded by family and the care team of French Hospital. Sally was born and raised in Palo Alto, attending public schools from elementary to high school graduation, a proud graduate of Palo Alto High School or as alumni refer to it “Paly High.” She left home to begin studies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1963 pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physical Education and Biology, and continuing graduate studies to receive a secondary teaching credential. It was in her senior year that she met and married her husband, Richard, who was also pursuing the same studies and path to a teaching credential. Upon completion in the summer of 1968, they were both offered teaching positions in the Monterey area, Sally at Carmel High School and Richard at Pacific Grove High School. It was a dream underway. However, the dream only lasted three months when Richard received a draft notice ending his teaching assignment while Sally continued to finish her first year before joining Richard after basic training in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was in Grand Forks that Sally gave birth to the first of three daughters, Amy. Working mom from the beginning, Sally accepted a part time teaching position at the University of North Dakota while caring for Amy at home. Two plus years later a reassignment brought the family back to March AFB, California, and later to be discharged in February 1973. It was in California when Sally became an avid consumer of Shaklee nutrition supplements which later led to an astonishing five decade career as a representative, director and distributor bringing service to many local consumers. All this while still being the devoted mother to Amy, later Kimberly, and then Heather. As the children got older and more independent, Sally went back to the teaching profession in a slightly different capacity, Religious Education. For many years Sally taught Religious Education classes locally at the elementary level. She later moved on to the Diocese level as a Religious Education Coordinator then was given responsibility for the southern deanery of the Diocese of Monterey teacher preparation and oversight of education programs. Humorously she would say, all this from a Convert!! What made her so admired was that while she was very loyal to catholic teachings she didn’t shy away from drawing outside the lines to bring spirituality alive and welcoming to the seeker. She followed Jesus’ teaching, all are welcome. She stayed active at the parish level during this time serving in many roles as a Eucharistic Minister, garden door Greeter for Mass, visiting home bound parishioners, and more recently member of the OM Social Justice committee, to name a few. While there is only one North Star in our solar system, Sally had three to guide her life: Faith, Family and Friendships. Earlier in her ministries she was given a gift, a small statue of Mary, kneeling, arms extended and open, depicting “I am the Handmaiden of the Lord…” It was placed on her dresser next to the bed and greeted her each morning, a sacred time of her day to reflect and pray throughout her life. Sally’s faith was her strength and anchor, in good times and challenging times, and she was loyal to it as anyone could see in her smile and the way she greeted you. These guiding stars were not independent but intertwined. Family and friendships were where she lived her faith. An incredibly devoted mother and grandmother, daughter, sister, and wife, her family and friends brought as much joy to her as she extended to them. She cherished the life-long friendships that were created locally and far beyond as well. Sally is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard; daughters Amy Equinoa (Paco), Kimberly Equinoa (Eric), Heather Sousa (Shawn); grandchildren Amaya and Pablo Alonso, Emma Parent, and Canon, Easton, and Cruz Sousa; Sister Barbara Dore and Michelle Dillard of Nevada, and Richard and Sally’s loveable canine companion, Tucker. Thank you to her devoted care team at UCLA Health Dr. Brian DiCarlo and Mary Okamoto, her Stanford care team of Dr. Pamela Kunz and Dr. George Fisher, her dear friend and caregiver from the beginning, Dr. Heidi Lucas. A memorial mass is scheduled for Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:00am, Old Mission Parish in San Luis Obispo, with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Please check the website of Reis Family Mortuary and Crematory, San Luis Obispo, CA, for any updates. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her honor to the Hearst Cancer Resource Center c/o French Hospital Medical Center Foundation, The American Heart Association, a social justice cause, or a charity of your choice. She is passed on from us, yet so present within us. May her spirit find eternal peace.

Sally Skinner Equinoa

February 16, 1946 - December 5, 2025