Pandora (Branciforte) Skubel

Pandora Branciforte Skubel “Babe”, 102, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, with her family by her side at home in Cromwell. She was the loving wife of Bernard Skubel for 59 years until his death in 2009. She was born to Antonio and Rose (Liseo) Branciforte on September 25, 1922, and was one of seven children.

Babe lived in Cromwell nearly all her life. She married Bernard Skubel in 1950 and started her own family in 1955 and 1956 with the births of her two sons Richard and Raymond.  She couldn’t do enough for her boys.  After her boys finished middle school, Babe worked at Pratt & Whitney Publications Division for 16 years.

Babe and Ben became “Snowbirds” and spent their retirement winters in Boynton Beach, Florida. They did everything together.  After Ben passed in 2009, her son Ray retired and took over for Ben. They continue their winters in Florida.  The Casino and Mario’s Osteria became a regular weekly event.  Babe also loved dining out, so the Bonefish and KeeGrill were weekly dining destinations. 

Babe’s summers in CT were wonderful too.  Babe enjoyed the Summer Concert series in Cromwell, Madison, East Haddam, Wadsworth Mansion and Southington.  Her afternoons and nights were busy listening to music and sometimes dancing at Bills Seafood, Westbrook Elks and especially “The Griswold Inn” every Thursday night.  The Gris was her favorite!  She loved the band Cherry Pie with Jillian Gray, Lou, Rich and PJ.  They were truly amazing!  They also performed at her 100th birthday at DeNovellis and her 101 and 102 birthdays at the Gris.  Babe was the “Star of the Show” every Thursday night, as the band would play the song “I Love You Baby” and the entire crowd would sing it to her.   Babe’s “Gris Family” are wonderful people that loved her so much and she’ll never forget the last 10 years of her life.

Babe is survived by her two children Raymond and Richard and his wife, Wannie and her beloved grandchild Melissa and her husband, Harry and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her husband and parents, Babe was predeceased by her siblings, Carmelo Branciforte, Clara Lombardo, Sebastian (Yonnie) Branciforte, Lydia Cannata, John Branciforte, and Helen Signorelli.

Family and friends may visit on Monday morning, June 9, 2025, from 10:30am to 11:00am at St John Church, 5 St John Court, Cromwell, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at St John Church. Interment will follow in the family plot at St. Sebastian’s Cemetery in Middlefield. In lieu of flowers, donations in Babe’s memory may be made to Saint John Church, 5 St. John Court, Cromwell, CT 06416. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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