Patricia Knodel

Patricia Knodel, age 85, died March 7, 2017. She was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Burt and Dorothy Pratt. In 1938 the family moved to Wilmington, Delaware. Pat attended Alfred I. du Pont School and graduated from P.S. du Pont High School in 1950. In 1954 she graduated from Bucknell University with an A.B. degree in English. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was a Delawarean for many years until her move in 2006 to Maris Grove in Glen Mills, PA. From 1977 to 1981, Pat was the Program Director for the Wilmington Lutheran Urban Cluster, composed of the three inner-city Lutheran congregations. She developed programs for educational and spiritual growth, community service, and special emphases such as youth, senior citizens, and the resettlement of refugee families. From 1982 to 1992, she was the Executive Secretary and Grants Coordinator of the Ministry of Caring, a non-profit agency that serves the poor. It was a privilege and a life-changing experience to work with Brother Ronald Giannone, OFM Cap., and all the dedicated people of the Ministry of Caring who reached out to those who needed a helping hand. Pat was a long-time member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Bellefonte. She served as president of the congregation and the council on two separate occasions. For many years she was a member of the choir and served as an assisting minister for the worship service. She also was the chair of a Pastoral Call Committee and a member of the Building Committee following the 1969 fire that destroyed the nave. She was president of the Board of Trustees of Lutheran Community Services in Wilmington. Pat was an active member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She was an officer of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, serving as secretary for the Synod Council and the Synod Assembly. Pat was a delegate to a churchwide assembly of the ELCA. For the national church, she was a member of the Board of Outreach and the Board of the Mission Iinvestment Fund. She served on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Pat was a life member of the American Association of University Women, Wilmington, Delaware branch. Her service included the secretary of the Board, the yearbook editor, and Headquarters chairman. She was a member of community service organizations, including the Public Assistance Task Force, the Food Closet Study Committee, and the Delaware Alliance for Better Housing. She was named in "A Legacy to Delaware Women." Pat was actively involved in the planning committee for the reunions of the P.S. du Pont High School class of 1950. Her special interests included music, theological study, travel, and reading. Pat and her husband Don traveled to many countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and Australia/New Zealand. From these travels, she wrote and produced slide shows with tape recorded commentary that were given at various places, including the Academy of Lifelong Learning. They enjoyed spending winters in Fort Myers, Florida, where they had many friends at The Groves Resort and at Peace Lutheran Church. Pat was predeceased by her husband, Donald Knodel of 59 years. She is survived by two sons, David Knodel of Newark, Delaware and children Alyson and Charles of Philadelphia; Douglas Keith Knodel, his wife Donna, and children Shannon, Brian, and Brendon of Wilmington. She is also survived by a former daughter-in-law, Katherine Cartwright Knodel. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 18 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Duncan Road, Wilmington DE 19809, at 11:00 am. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 501 Duncan Road, Wilmington, DE 19809.