Leigh Connelly Skat, 60, of Sanford, Florida, passed away peacefully at her home in Sanford, Florida, on November 24th, 2024, surrounded by her family and pets. Leigh fought a courageous battle with cancer, never considering giving up.
Leigh was born in Austin, Texas, on August 22nd, 1964. She moved to Daytona Beach Shores and Port Orange, Florida with her family. She graduated with honors from The Crummer School of Business at Rollins College, where she earned a master’s degree in business. Additionally, she graduated with honors from Flagler College with an undergraduate degree in business and had the honor of being the Homecoming Queen.
Leigh married Michael Skat on April 21, 1990, at Rollins Chapel in Winter Park, Florida. They had met at Rollins College during their graduate studies and enjoyed a long and beautiful marriage.
She cared deeply about her work as a Chief Financial Officer, holding that position at Industrial Lighting Products for a number of years and most recently at Atlantic Pipe Services, both based in Sanford, Florida. While raising her children, she had a career as an instructor at Webster University and the University of Central Florida, where she taught a variety of finance, accounting, and investment classes. Leigh was known for her professional and nurturing leadership style and left behind a legacy of employees and businesses that became better because of her guidance.
She was passionate about raising her children and was so very proud of each of them. She loved living in Sanford for over thirty years. There, she worked with her father and husband, restoring two beautiful historic homes where she raised their family. Leigh was a pet lover, introducing her husband to the wonders of cats and taking on his love of dogs. She leaves behind a very close group of friends from her days at Flagler College who have remained connected through their adult lives, though sometimes separated by time and distance. The bond with her sister, Leslie, was one of her great joys in life.
She so looked forward to their weekend grocery shopping with a Starbucks stop. Leigh carried a special place in her heart for the family condo in Daytona Beach Shores, the city of St. Augustine/Flagler College, and for Dragon’s Retreat, the family cabin in northern Wisconsin. Leigh enjoyed cooking, the holidays, and swimming in the pool she built at her home. She also achieved some impressive levels of participation in Pilates late in her life. Most of all, Leigh loved her children more than anything.
Leigh was preceded in death by her father, Casey, and mother, Jackie, both of who she loved dearly. She is survived by her husband Michael, her son Michael (Kait, newborn grandson Owen), her son Cooper (Shayna), her daughter Sloan, her sister Leslie Connell (David, Connor, and Emily), and a host of cousins and relatives spread throughout the US. She is also survived by her cat Tigger, who she raised as an abandoned kitten, and her faithful dog Karlee, who spent days and nights by her side as she fought her battle with cancer.
The family will host a Celebration of Life, with a Reception, on December 22, 2024 at the Sanford Women’s Club from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer in Leigh’s name.
“Be a Pineapple. Stand Tall. Wear a Crown and Be Sweet on the Inside.” Leigh Skat