The Skillen family are saddened to share the news of the passing of Deirdre Skillen (Class of 1991) who passed away on 19 March 2025 at the age of 50.

In 1984, Deirdre joined Year 5 at Kent House. At school she was active in co-curricular activities, participating in hockey, cricket, violin, and speech lessons. In Year 12, Deirdre was the only person in 1991 to completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. In that year she was also a member of the Interact Club the Cricket Team.

An accomplished hang glider and paraglider, Deirdre represented Australia in numerous national and international competitions, and for a time she was the President of Sydney Paragliding Club. 

Professionally, Deirdre worked in Human Resources. Outside of work, she had a deep love of language. She contributed to the Macquarie Dictionary by helping to identify and catalogue new words.

Throughout her life, she remained closely connected to many friends from her time at MLC School.

Deirdre is the beloved daughter of Douglas and Susan Skillen, adored mother of Caiden Edward, and cherished sister of Maree (MLC School Class of 1986), John, and Sarah (MLC School Class of 1995).