Edith Mary "Edie" Knapp-Willoughby

1924 - 2018

Knapp-Willoughby, Edith "Edie" Mary of Chelsea, formerly of Ypsilanti Edie passed away peacefully at home on Friday March 9th, 2018. She was born Nov. 8th, 1924 in Traverse City MI, daughter of John J. Sutton and Susan Bradford Sutton. After graduating from West Branch high school in 1943, Edie worked for the Bell Telephone Co. She later graduated from Western Union Business School in Crawfordsville IN. She moved to Ypsilanti, MI and worked at the Western Union office and soon met and married Donald Knapp. Don passed away on April 1st 1985. In 1999 she married Dr. Robert Willoughby, he passed in August of 2011. Edie was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother John Sutton Jr. and infant twin sons John and James Knapp. Edie was an accomplished artist working mainly in oils and pastels and taking up watercolors in her 80's. She learned the art of coloring photographs and tinted many from 1946-1977 for HA Powell Studios of Detroit MI. Edie enjoyed many years volunteering at the First United Methodist Church of Ypsilanti where she was a Sunday school teacher, as well as singing in the church choir for over 30 years. She also volunteered at Beyer Hospital, Gilbert Residence and for the Thrift Shop in Ypsilanti for over 21 years. She also sang in Ypsilanti Community Choir for over 21 years, she served as Regent of The Ypsilanti Chapter of the DAR and PEO. Edie loved God's beautiful world and was fortunate to get to travel to 25 countries and 49 states. She is survived by 3 sons, David K. (Janice) of Middleville MI, Steven D. (Debra) of Appleton WI, and Douglas M. (Kathy) of Manchester MI. Also surviving are her grandchildren Krista, Joshua (Emily), Olivia, Kalena (Shaun) Mefford, all of Wisconsin. Caleb and Holden of Manchester MI; and 3 great grandchildren Gina, Kirra and Catlin of WI. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at Silver Maples of Chelsea on Saturday March 24th at 11:00 am, with Rev. Jeff Crowder officiating. Her family will receive visitors starting at 10 am. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Mercy Hospice of Michigan or the First United Methodist Church of Ypsilanti, MI.