Emily Knapp

KNAPP, Emily Dick - Passed away peacefully on September 23, 2006, in Rohnert park at the age of 91. She leaves behind her children Susan Pier Giansanti and Michael Pier of Tucson, AZ, and Joan Pier Merriss of Cotati. Beloved grandmother of Dennis Golightly, Emily G. Furr, Stanwood Golightly, Nathaniel Merriss, Anne M. Eddy, Andrew Merriss, Terry Giansanti, Barbara Merriss and 11 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her sisters Liberty Winter of Cambridge, MA and Jade Pier of Mendocino. She was predeceased by her sister Anne Dick Eliot. Emily was born March 24, 1915 in Massachusetts to Evans Rogers Dick and Joan Cotton Tuckerman Dick. She spent most of her childhood in Boston. She moved to Marin County in 1952 with her first husband, Gardiner Pier MD. She loved the Bay Area and spent the rest of her years in Marin County, Berkeley and Sonoma County. She especially valued her years living at Santa Rosa Creek Commons where she was an active participant in the community. In 1985, at age 70, she received her BA from Sonoma State University. Emily overcame many difficult and painful times with her tenacity and courage. She had great respect for the field of therapy and claimed that it saved her life. She was always encouraging her family to seek therapy! Her children and grandchildren all have fond memories of hiking on Mt. Tam, Muir Woods and Spring Lake with her. She shared with us her love of nature and the joy of being alive. She also loved the Santa Rosa Symphony to which she faithfully subscribed for many years. Emily had many friends of all ages and was genuinely interested in each person, usually engaging them in conversations regarding the complexities of the meaning of life. Attending Sonoma Mountain Zen Center was an important part of her spiritual quest. Her greatest gift was her ability to love. Emily was a unique human being and she will be greatly missed by all. A Memorial Service is being planned for the end of October. Her family is grateful for the kindness of June Farver, the caregivers at Chez Louise, and to Memorial Hospice. Should anyone wish to make donations, the family suggests Memorial Hospice, the Santa Rosa Symphony (the Green Music Center) or the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County. Arrangements under the care of ADOBE CREEK FUNERAL HOME, 331 Lakeville St., Petaluma, CA 94952. CHEDA & LYONS - Directors 789-9000