January 28, 2010

JEFFERSON CITY – A part-time Perryville resident for the last few years was recently inducted into the 2010 Helias High School Hall of Fame in Jefferson City.

Marie (Pouyer) Skain is the daughter of the late Ves E. and Lunette (Gagnepain) Pouyer and a 1942 graduate of St. Vincent’s High School. She attended LeClerc College in Belleville, IL and received her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Southeast Missouri State University.

Marie was married to the late Dr. Richard Skain, and they are the parents of James Skain (Martha) and Cari Skain.

Jim and Cari are both graduates of Helias High School, as well as her one grand-daughter, Jessie. Marie is a member of Immaculate Conception Parish.

In addition to having a successful career with the Missouri Division of Health and as owner/operator of the Westphalia Inn in Westphalia, Marie has been an active and committed volunteer in her community and at her church and Helias.

Marie attended the very first public meeting for the Helias Foundation held at the Knights of Columbus Hall and went on to serve more than 15 years with the organization.

It was quoted on the evening of the induction that "when the Helias Foundation was started, Marie kept all the data files on card files. Then when the software was purchased, she managed all the files. Marie kept the Board on track."

At Immaculate Conception, Marie has served with the Parish Council, St. Ann’s Sodality, Immaculate Conception Church Circle and on the E-Prayer Line.

She is also past president of the Jefferson City Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and Past Regent of the Missouri State Circle, Daughters of Isabella. She is a member of the Guadalupe Circle, Glennon Circle No. 322 Daughters of Isabella, Lady – Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and Ladies of Charity, Perryville.

Marie is very active in the community where she is past president of the Jefferson City Council of Clubs and past member of the Missouri River Home Health Agency, Homemaker Health Care and the Helias Foundation.

She was appointed by Cole County Court to reorganize the Dental, Eye and Shoe Board, and she served on the Advisory Committee for Nursing Education at Lincoln University. Marie is a member of the Cole County Historical Society and a lifetime member of the Perry County Historical Society.

In an effort to recognize outstanding individuals whose lives have helped to establish Helias High School, the Helias High School Hall of Fame began in 2008.

New members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame each year. Individuals must have graduated at least 20 years prior to induction; demonstrated loyalty and/or service to Helias; distinguished him or herself in a chosen field; and have exhibited moral standards to the credit of the school.

On Sunday, Helias celebrated and honored nine individuals as they were inducted into the Hall of Fame. A special Mass was held at 4 p.m. for the inductees and their immediate families followed by a social hour at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and the program for the evening at 7 p.m. in the Helias Commons for relatives and friends.