Nancy Knipe

1930 - 2017

BELMONT - Nancy Dearborn Knipe passed from this life on February 21, 2017 in Belmont, Massachusetts, where she had been living for the last five years. Nancy was born in Buffalo, New York, on January 14, 1930. She spent her childhood in New Hampshire and in Palm Beach, Florida. She attended Northfield School for Girls, graduating in 1948. She then went to Grinnell College and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1952. She married, in June 1950, the love of her life, William Knipe.
Nancy was an elementary school teacher, first in Norwich, Vermont, then in Bristol, Virginia, before teaching at Bernardston (Mass.) Elementary School for many years. She taught third and sixth grade. Nancy was particularly devoted to Northfield Mount Hermon School. She returned to Northfield when Bill got a job teaching American History there in 1970. Nancy served as a tour guide at the Dwight L. Moody birthplace and she also worked in the Admissions Office after retiring from teaching and she served on reunion committees as well. In 2008 she received NMH's Lamplighter Award, the school's highest award for service to the school. Nancy was also a docent at Historic Deerfield and an avid quilter.
She had a lively sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye. She was a long-time member of St. James Episcopal Church in Greenfield where she served as Warden and sang in the choir. Nancy and Bill lived in Japan for a few years while Bill served in the military and later they loved to travel here and abroad.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband of nearly 60 years, Bill, and their eldest daughter Susan, and Nancy's sister Suzanne Riedell.
She is survived by Susan's son Jesse Malony, his wife Sarah and their daughter Geneva, by Stephen Knipe and his wife Lori and Stephen's children Wentworth and Summerlin, by Penley Knipe and her husband Daniel Abramson and their children Karl and Eliora Abramson, and by John Knipe and his son Will. She is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews and many, many friends and former students.
The Knipe family sincerely thanks all of Nancy and Bill's many friends for their support over the last few years.
Service to be held later in the spring followed by burial in Belmont, New Hampshire. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family asks that gifts in Nancy's memory be made to NMH, a school near and dear to the Knipe family. Contributions may be sent to the attention of Kristin Kellom, Stewardship Office, Northfield Mount Hermon School, One Lamplighter Way, Mount Hermon, MA 01354.
Kidder Funeral Home in Northfield is in charge of the arrangements. To send condolences, please visit:  www.kidderfuneralhome.com.