Sarah Dianne Knapp

1955 - 2011

MERIDEN - Sarah Dianne Knapp, 55, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 at her home surrounded by her loving family after an inspiring and courageous five-year battle with breast cancer.

Sarah was born Nov. 2, 1955 in Columbus, Ohio to Paul Armstrong Knapp and Marie (Smith) Knapp. She grew up in Concord and graduated from Concord High School in 1974. She received an associates degree from Northwestern Connecticut Community College in 1976, an undergraduate degree from Lyndon State College in 1978 and a master's degree in education with a focus on mental retardation from Keene State College in 1982.

While studying for her master's degree she worked at the Brattleboro Retreat in Brattleboro, Vt., and Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield, Vt., before moving to Lebanon, in1982 to work for Upper Valley Developmental Services as a case manager for developmentally disabled adults. From 1985 through 1988 she was employed at Hartford (Vt.) High School as a special educator, then spent a year providing day care in her home for preschool children. In 1989, she was hired by the Lebanon School District where she served as a Special Educator at Lebanon High School until January, 2010. For several years she tutored students in math and science at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden. In the past three years she volunteered her time for cancer awareness and fund-raising events.

Sarah had a wonderful sense of humor and used it often. She was a dedicated teacher who looked to find something unique and special in every student she worked with. She also enjoyed many interests and hobbies. She was an avid flower gardener and was especially proud of her orchids, loved reading, animals (she always had two dogs), sewing, quilting, crafting, puzzles, cribbage, genealogy, pottery, photography, walking in the woods, and relaxing with family and friends at Goose Pond in Canaan. She opened her home to foreign exchange students from Spain and Japan. She also volunteered her time helping at Listen Center community suppers.

Sarah spent her remaining time in this world doing what she had to do and consciously chose not to allow the disease to dictate how she lived her life. She vacationed with family, spent time with close friends, put together photo albums and sewed quilts for her sons and brothers. She often made quips about her appearance and the side effects of her treatments, always making it easier for others to laugh with her. She lived much longer than was medically expected, in great part due to her positive attitude and spirit. Her glass was always half full and she was an inspiration to many who knew her. She, as well as her sense of humor, will be dearly missed by her family, friends, colleagues and her rescue dogs Maggie Mae and Blazer.

Sarah married Michael M. Higgins on Sept. 7, 1985 at Pierce's Inn in Etna. Together they built their house into a home on Bean Road in Meriden.

She is survived by her husband Michael of twenty six years; three beloved sons, Joshua Paul, Ryan Zachary, and Colby Jackson; her mother Marie Knapp, all of Meriden; three brothers, Paul Knapp of Meriden, Conn., David Knapp, DVM and his wife Suzanne Starr, DVM of Franklin, Mass., and Thomas Knapp and his wife Alexis Eaton of Milford. She is also survived by her aunt, Mary Carol Smith of New Bern, N.C. She was predeceased by her father in 1984 and her sister, Rebecca, in 1962.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon, on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at the Lebanon United Methodist Church on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Jill C. Robinson officiating. A reception will follow in the Church Fellowship Hall. All are welcome to partake.