Camille Allen KNICKERBOCKER

Died peacefully on April 16, 2014 in Santa Rosa, California. Camille was born October 29, 1921 in Beverly Hills, California, the daughter of Nolen Allen and Phyllis Wilson. Camille was a beautiful child with more than her share of charm and an exceptional singing voice. Throughout her life she made friends easily and was considered generous with her time and caring. She attended Beverly Hills High School where she met her first husband, Charles Clinton Merrell. They had three children: Sharron Davis, Barbara Merrell and Rocky Knickerbocker. After a divorce in 1949, she became a single mother working as a secretary and sometimes singer. In 1952, while she was singing at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles, Camille met the love of her life, Herman "Knick" Knickerbocker, with whom she had three additional children: Audrey Dubour, Kirk Knickerbocker, and Cammie Schoeppner. Camille was an exceptional cook. Her lavish sit-down dinners for 20 to 30 were elegant and delicious. Those who had nowhere to go were always welcome. In addition to raising her six children, Camille donated her time to many charities: Las Primeras and Las Primeras Jrs., (founding member of both), Christopher', Singles and Doubles, Les Antiquers, (founder), Unander Cotillion, National Charity League, and was Chairman of the Beverely Hills High School Reunion Committee. She attended All Saints Episcopal Church where she donated her time organizing rummage sales and holiday events. In 1991 she moved to Santa Rosa, California with her now-retired husband, Knick. Once settled, Camille founded Les Antiquers North, and also donated her considerable talents to Republican Women's Club, Episcopal Women's Club, PEO, Newcomers, MOAA Wives Club, and the Assistance League, where she proudly organized and sold donated greeting cards at the Assistance League Thrift Shop. Camille is survived by her husband Knick, her five remaining children, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several "surrogate" daughters, and many close friends. The family would like to thank the staff at Emeritus Skilled Nursing for their loving and gentle care of our mother and us. A Memorial Service will be held at The Church Of The Incarnation in Santa Rosa, California, on May 17, 2014, at 2:00pm.