Clarice Knecht

KNECHT Clarice Maurene Knecht, age 90, of Monroe, passed on peacefully in her home to be with her Lord and Savior, attended to lovingly by her family and friends on Friday, November 18, 2011. Clarice was born on October 9, 1921 in East Lansing, Michigan to the late Fred and Ila Hill. The family moved several times during the depression before settling in Trumbull, CT in the early 1940's. She graduated from high school in Michigan and attended Butler Business School in Bridgeport, CT. Clarice married Theodore Parker Knecht on February 21, 1947. She had been an active member of the Bethany Congregational Church, the Golden Hill Methodist Church, and the East Village Methodist Church where she played the organ, piano, sang in the choir, and soloed. Clarice also wrote and directed several musical plays and had been active on numerous committees. Clarice's interests also included her love for her family, gardening, sewing, cooking, music, nature, the healing arts and spiritual studies. She also had been a member of the Monroe Senior Center. Mrs. Knecht is survived by her beloved daughters, Lynn Abbott and her fiancé Ray Duda of Easton, CT, Cheryl Cimmino and her husband Daniel of Williamsburg, VA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jennifer Abbott Murphy of Seymour, CT, Bryant Abbott and Evan Centopani, both of Trumbull, Marc Cimmino of Lakewood, CO and Matthew Cimmino of Williamsburg, VA. She also has seven great-grandchildren, Taylor, Camryn, Ethan, Brady, Ryan, Tyson and Alana. She was predeceased by her brother, Russell Hill. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Monroe, 515 Cutlers Farm Road, Monroe, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Knecht's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-873-6983 www.stjude.org/tribute.