Marian Vint Knapp 94, passed on Easter Sunday April 8th at Emeritus at Fort Wayne IN. (formerly Village Oaks).
Marian was born in Detroit, Michigan but spent much of her childhood growing up in Evanston, Illinois. As a teenager she moved with her family to Buffalo, NY where she lived until her early 70's. She graduated from Buffalo Bennett High School where she was involved with the girl's basketball and swim teams. She was married to John E. Knapp whom she met as a teenager at the summer Dellwood Ballroom. It was pretty much love at first sight and they were married for 63 years. They traveled extensively and achieved their goal of visiting all 50 states (plus Canada and Mexico). Marian's favorite was Alaska. Marian was a very hard worker with a lot of talents. At various times, she was a "hair dresser", a school cafeteria cashier, a waitress and a draftsman preparing detailed house plans for local builders. In the later 1950's, Marian and John took on the responsibility of becoming adult advisors for the High School youth group of University Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, New York for several years. Marian had always wanted to be a teacher and never had the opportunity for an educational experience to do that. In 1963, at the age of 46, she entered the State University of New York at Buffalo (Buff State). She graduated with "academic honors" accepting her first teaching job in the fall of 1967. Fourth Grade was her specialty at Clarence Center Elementary School in Clarence Center, NY. She continued on to complete her Master's Degree in May of 1970. In 1959 through the mid 1970's John and Marian owned and operated the Judy Ann Motel, Clarence, New York. Marian was a part of everything. In later years, they ran the motel as a dormitory, with Marian as housemother for approximately 20 female college students from a local school. After retirement Marian & John moved to Fort Wayne, IN to be near family and started to winter in Tucson, AZ and Las Vegas. Marian and John were members of Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne for many years. Marian had many hobbies both before and after retiring. Marian was accomplished at leather work. She made several beautiful quilts by hand and painted many oil paintings, as well as being an accomplished fisherman. She polished turquoise stone and made many rings and bolo ties. She made a complete fireplace, with chimney, out of field stone that she had collected. She sewed, "put up" produce as well as making her very own delicious strawberry jam. Marian along with John planted, harvested, shared and ate some of the most beautiful and tasty tomatoes a person has ever seen. She was a "crackerjack" bridge player, sang in a chorus, was an excellent bowler, and created an extensive genealogy of the family. She also made the shoes for upwards of 200 dolls, which her club freshened up and dressed for the poorest of the Indian children on an Indian reservation near Tucson. She also took up golf in retirement and played ukulele in the largest "Uke Band" in the U.S.A.! After her death this loving comment was made by Marian's nephew Fred Vint…. "If you are going to pick a day to go to Heaven, it might as well be Easter." She is survived by her son John W. (Carolyn) Knapp, her daughter Ginger (Peter) Paul and her grandchildren, Sandra P (Richard) Bennett of Grand Rapids, MI, Brett P. (Tashon) Paul of Fort Wayne, Blaine J (Stacey) Paul of Indianapolis, IN, Laurie (Andrew) Cross of Gaithersburg, MD, Wendy Knapp of Raleigh, NC and Tracy (Thomas) Cary of Candor, NY. and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John E. Knapp, and two brothers Burton C. and William D. Vint.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday April 20 at First Presbyterian Church Chapel - 300 W. Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, IN with visitation at 10:15 a.m. in the Chapel. Preferred Memorials to Grace Presbyterian Church - "John Knapp Scholarship for Youth Group Seniors", 1811 Fairhill Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. This scholarship was established by Marian some years ago. D. O. McComb and Sons Lakeside Park Chapel 1140 Lake ave. Fort Wayne IN. in charge of arrangements. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com.
