Skelton dedicates garden to late wife

By Ettie Berneking

Published Sept. 18, 2007

(Note: This story has been corrected from the print version.)

MU played host to U.S. Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and friends of his wife, Susan Skelton, to dedicate a memorial garden to honor "The Governor," as she was known to her friends.

Mrs. Skelton graduated from MU in 1958 with an education degree. Mrs. Skelton was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and a born leader, sorority alumna Nancy Maupin said.

"She was a pledge trainer," Maupin said. "She had a real presence about her. That's how she got her nickname, 'The Governor.'"

Mrs. Skelton, who died in 2005, was honored Friday with the unveiling of the Susan Anding Skelton Memorial Garden.

According to an MU news release, the idea of a garden was conceived by MU alumni Larry and Marilyn McMullen. They organized a campaign that raised $30,000 for the garden from 63 donors.

"Remembering Susie is remembering a life of service," Larry McMullen said.

She devoted her time to the International Club III, serving as both president and vice president of the club for spouses of ambassadors and members of congress. She was a member of the board of trustees for the United States Navy Society of Sponsors, according to the news release. Mrs. Skelton was also president of the MU Panhellenic Association.

Mrs. Skelton "blossomed as a leader here on campus," Chancellor Brady Deaton said.

The garden features a variety of coneflowers, including the Missouri purple coneflower, which is native to Missouri, and other related species such as the Big Sky hybrid coneflower, the news release stated.

The garden will include pink, orange, maroon and golden-yellow blossoms.

"Pink was Susan's favorite color," Maupin said.

Ike Skelton, who spoke at the memorial service, remembered his wife as a "remarkable lady."

Skelton has represented Missouri's 4th district since 1977.

"I know she would be thrilled being here at this memorial today," he said.

The memorial garden, which is located on the east side of the Carnahan Quadrangle, is part of the Mizzou Botanic Garden, which contains thousands of species and plant varieties on close to 300 acres, the news release stated.

Shortly after addressing the crowd at the memorial, Skelton spoke at the 2007 Monroe Paine Distinguished Lecture Series, sponsored by the Truman School of Public Affairs.

The Monroe-Paine lecture series brings in leading policy experts, Truman School of Public Affairs Director Barton Wechsler said.

Skelton's speech, entitled "Thinking in Terms of History," centered on the importance for U.S. political and military leaders to be well educated in historical precedence.

"History doesn't repeat itself, but it sure rhymes," Skelton said.

He said history was important because through it, people can learn and observe to solve problems.

"Even before I came to college, I was always interested in history," he said.

Skelton spoke of instances where military leaders were able to rely on history to ensure their success.

Skelton finished his lecture by stressing the need for better historical education, using the challenges that the U.S. military are facing today as an example.

"Historical precedents can lead us into the future," he said.