Twin sisters with Cedar Rapids ties die in Mexico

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sisters with Cedar Rapids ties died while vacationing in Mexico this past weekend, family and government officials said.

Relatives of Barbara Jo Thomas and Beverly L. Skripsky, both 67, said the sisters died Sunday in Cabo San Lucas when they were hit by a rogue wave and swept out to sea. The bodies of the twin sisters were recovered, a family member said.

A Department of State official confirmed Thomas and Skripsky's deaths.

According to family members, the women were born in Eldora on July 29, 1950. They attended grade school in the Tama-Toledo area and graduated from Washington High School in Cedar Rapids in 1968.

At the time of their deaths, Thomas was residing in McKinney, Texas, and Skripsky was residing in Scottsdale, Ariz.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com