Roslyn (Walter) Skarin

Roslyn (Walter) Skarin of Newton, former longtime resident of Needham, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2025, following a long illness. She was the devoted wife of 59 years to the late Arthur T. Skarin, MD. She was the loving mother of Jon K. Skarin and his wife Kathleen Glunz Skarin and the proud and beloved “Nana” of Matthew A. Skarin, all of Charlestown.

Born in Buffalo, NY in 1939, she was the daughter of the late Stephen and Lila Walter and the sister of Jean Ibbotson (Dick) and the late Ellen Walter, Hazel Walter, Merle Walter, Ray Walter, Norman Walter and Lilah Brown. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Roslyn graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Nursing and was a Registered Nurse before moving to Amarillo, Texas with her husband while he served in the United States Air Force. They moved to Needham in 1970 and lived there for more than 50 years.

She volunteered for many years at Carter Memorial Methodist Church and at High Rock Elementary School in Needham and later worked in the Wellesley College Science Library. Roslyn was a member of several area quilting groups and an active member of the book arts community. She also enjoyed photography and other creative pursuits. She loved to travel and was a world-class navigator long before GPS. She was happiest spending time with her grandson in Needham and at their summer home in Onset Beach.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. We would like to thank all her doctors, nurses and caregivers who have taken care of her over the last several years.

Funeral and internment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02128 or Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459.

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