Our Mission Statement

The Conor Deighan Skelding Foundation exists to honor the life, character, and virtues of Conor Deighan Skelding by supporting charitable organizations whose works advance the pursuits he loved most, including journalism, literature, the classics, and rowing. This support will reflect his belief in the permanent things: God, faith, and family.

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About

Conor Deighan Skelding was born January 7, 1992, in Berwyn, Illinois. At the age of five, his family moved to River Forest. There he attended St. Luke Catholic School and Roosevelt Middle School. He graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep, leading his three younger brothers to attend as well. He was a 2014 graduate of Columbia University in the City of New York, majoring in English and American Studies. He was editor of the Blue and White, the undergraduate periodical, and a COÖP leader. After graduation, he worked for Capital New York, Politico, Reorg, and the New York Post.

Conor was the tween who couldn't find the 7-Eleven on the corner, but navigated the train and bus to high school in the city. He was the fan at Yankee stadium with a book. He was the non-athlete who rowed for four years and led all his brothers to the sport. Conor took on NYC after his upbringing in a suburban village of 12,000. He spent a summer in college working for the Army Corps of Engineers Reserves in rural Arkansas despite never having wielded an axe. Conor preferred a hand-written letter to an email (his handwriting challenging all) and a phone call to a text. He relished an intellectual debate on just about any topic, usually ending with his winsome, disarming smile. In his coverage of NYC politics, he earned the respect of those of all parties and beliefs. He was well liked by members of the Inner Circle (the annual NYC press corps revue) and once brought the house down with his spot on musical imitation of Justin Trudeau. In his short life, he made friends from all walks of life and succeeded in maintaining these friendships over time and distance.

Conor was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic cancer (SMARCB INI-1 Deficiency Tumor) at the age of 30. He underwent a Whipple procedure with partial liver resection, chemotherapy, radiation, and clinical trials. During the year he survived, he exhibited tremendous patience, fortitude, and equanimity. The grace-filled way he endured this prodigious suffering was inspirational to many and a testament to his faith in God. Conor was fortunate to marry his fiancée, Lizzy Trelstad, on March 25, 2023. He passed away at his parents' home, surrounded by his family, on April 21, 2023.

Through thoughtful and targeted giving, the Conor Deighan Skelding Foundation seeks to extend his legacy in a quiet way by nurturing curiosity, discipline, integrity and a love of ideas and language, while encouraging lives shaped by faith, strengthened by family, and directed to the service of others.