Michaela E. Knapp

Michaela E. Donlon Knapp, 70, of Kenwood Ave., Sylvan Beach, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 25, 2021, at Oneida Health Hospital where she had been a patient for the past five days.

She was born on March 23, 1950, in Utica, the daughter of William P. and Jane H. Morgan Donlon, Jr. She was a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School in Utica, class of 1967, and went on to attend Marywood College in Scranton, PA.

On October 20, 1973, Michaela was united in marriage to James Knapp in St. Mary's of the Lake Church in Verona Beach. A happy and blessed union until Jim's passing on March 4, 2004.

Mike was employed by her father in the Sylvan Beach Amusement Park from 1960 to 1986. She then went on to be a daycare provider from 1990 to 2002. She loved the kids she took care of and was affectionately known as "Aunt Mike".

Surviving are her two sons, Edward M. (Abigail Boettner) Knapp, of Omaha, NE, and Joseph M. Knapp, of Sylvan Beach; four grandchildren, James Dean, Erika Morgan, Amber Leigh, and Maycie Love Knapp, all of Omaha, NE; a sister, Dolores "Lu" Ehlen, of Sylvan Beach; her godchildren, Katherine Ruscala, Megan Donlon. Amanda Williamson, Austin Luanker and Zoe Ruscala; and several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brother, William P. Donlon III and brother-in-law, Edward Ehlen.

Michaela will be forever grateful to her best friends of 40 years, Cheryl Roth, and Chris and Roy Dust.