Abby Ellen Skilling

Abby Ellen Skilling, 84, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026, at home in Marietta, Georgia, from the effects of cancer. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 9, 1942, to Roy and Marion White Modglin. Her early years were shaped by her father's Air Force service, which included time living in Japan-a period that sparked her lifelong love of travel.

Abby grew up with an adventurous spirit, a competitive streak on the softball field, and a talent for lovingly teasing her younger brother. The family later relocated to Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring, Texas, where Abby would meet the love of her life, David Allan Skilling, a young Air Force officer. The two married on December 21, 1964, and began a lifetime of shared adventures.

Together, Abby and David lived around the world during his military career, with assignments taking them to Arizona (twice), England, Germany (twice), North Carolina, and Virginia. During David's Vietnam tour, Abby and their daughter, Vicki, lived in Big Spring, Texas near her parents. Abby worked for the U.S. Air Force Germany, and at various civilian jobs elsewhere.

Following David's retirement from the Air Force, Abby continued her own distinguished career, joining Lockheed Martin in Burbank, California, as executive assistant to the head of the F‑22 Raptor program. When Lockheed planned to close the Burbank plant and move the program to Marietta, Georgia, Lockheed offered her a position there, where she worked until her retirement. She had followed her Dad or David around the world on their assignments during her entire life until then, and celebrated offering David that move due to her job!

In retirement, Abby embraced the joys of travel with David, exploring the US, Canada, Scotland, Israel, Italy, Vietnam, Hong Kong and many destinations in between. She loved shopping, snow skiing, scuba diving, reading, music, and dancing. A devoted mother, she cherished her mother‑daughter shopping outings with Vicki, and she and David often joined Vicki and her husband, Joey Guess, on scuba‑diving trips to Bonaire. When at home, she could be found reading Tom Clancy novels on her Nook or welcoming friends for Friday night gatherings.

Abby had a joyful spirit and a radiant smile. Whether she was dancing in her kitchen or doting on her dogs-Sabre, Lilly, and Gracie-she filled every space with warmth. She loved her family deeply and was dearly loved in return. She will be profoundly missed.

She is survived by her husband, David; her daughter, Vicki Guess, and her husband, Joey (Powder Springs, GA); her brother, Mike Modglin (Grove City, OH); and all those whose lives she touched.