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.
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