Phyllis McCormick Knowles

Phyllis McCormick Knowles, age 95, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Selbyville, Delaware. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late Howard McCormick and Marion (Hall) McCormick.

During her younger years, she attended Rosemont College, eventually transferring to Georgetown University. She later attended American University where she graduated with her master's in business administration.

During her life, Phyllis found joy in being very involved in her community and various other hobbies. She was the president of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra, an active member of the Kenwood Garden Club, an administrator for the National Association of Olmsted Parks, and served as a substitute teacher for Montgomery County School District. In addition to these organizations, she was an avid gardener and loved spending time with her friends.

She is survived by two sons, Mark Andrew Knowles (Madonna) and Kevin Knowles (Tammy Trattner), four grandchildren, Shane Knowles (Nina), Dawn Atwood (Nicholas), Brian Knowles (Angie), and Michael Knowles, and several great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her spouses, William Merchant Lowerre, Jr., and Peter Andrew Knowles, three brothers, Howard F. McCormick, Jr., Richard McCormick, and John McCormick, and a sister, Patricia McCormick O'Connor.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Brandywine Assisted Living in Selbyville, Delaware, they truly were like her second family for the 9 years that she spent there.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 1:00PM, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines, MD. Visitations will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2026, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM, at The Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, MD. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Phyllis's name be made to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, www.opvfd.com.