Susan Powers Knapp died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Sept. 24, 2015, at her home in Westport Point, Mass.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Ronald Knapp, her sister Patty Lawrence of Weston, Mass., her brother Jon Powers of Newport, R.I., her three daughters Deb Knapp of Boulder, Colo., Trish Weber of Wilton, Conn., and Melissa Knapp Conrad of Bronxville, N.Y., and her five grandchildren, Maddie, Christian, Connor, Quinn and Ben.
Knapp was born April 3, 1940, in Providence, R.I. and raised in Norwalk, Conn. She graduated from Wheelock College in 1962 where she earned her BA in education and then taught elementary school prior to starting her family in 1964. In 1985 she earned a master’s in education and began a career working with children with learning differences. She was loved and respected by the children and parents whom she helped including many students from Wilton High School, The Eagle Hill School and St. Luke’s School.
While living in Wilton she was an active member and chairwoman of the Family and Children’s Agency auxiliary Minks To Sinks, as well as the Wilton Garden Club and PTA. Upon moving to Westport Point she became an active member of the Friends of the Council on Aging and The Sogkonate Garden Club. She also enjoyed golfing with friends at The Acoaxet Club.
Susie, as she was known by many, was passionate about travel and lucky enough to share extraordinary adventures around the world with her husband, children, close friends and family. Her favorite place of all was close to home at the beach overlooking Buzzards Bay.
There will be a mass celebrating her life at St. Catherine of Siena, Little Compton, R.I., on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation to the Woman’s Lung Cancer Forum at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. (womenslungcancer.org).