Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1924
DIED
2018
FUNERAL HOME
Elise Knapp Obituary
July 1, 1924-October 21, 2018Elise Trowbridge Ford Knapp, a lifelong scholar of English literature, died Sunday, October 21 at her home in New Haven. Elise was born in Honolulu, HI, July 1, 1924 to the late Brig. Gen. William Wallace Ford and Alice Trowbridge Harris Ford. Following her father's many army postings, she had attended schools in seven states by the time she entered Duke University in 1940. She married Robert Phineas Knapp, Jr. of Manchester, CT at Fort Sill, OK in 1943 and moved to New York after the war, where Elise became the first married student at Barnard College. She graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1949. After living fifteen years in Port Washington, NY, the family moved to Redding, CT, where Elise remained active in community affairs. She earned a Master's from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT in 1971 and a PhD in English from Columbia University in 1975. She went on to teach and head the English Department at WCSU for over 20 years. Predeceased by her husband in 2000, Elise is the mother of David M. Knapp (Pan), Michal Brownell (Bart), Robert P. Knapp III (Eun Soo) and Frederic H. Knapp (Donald). Elise is survived by 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Burial will be private; for the memorial service date and to sign the guest book, please go to hawleyincolnmemorial.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elise Knapp
Sponsored by Hawley Lincoln Memorial Funeral Services - New Haven.
Diane Warfield
October 26, 2019
In 1980/1981 when word processing machines had come out, I bought one. Elise was the first person to have me type up a manuscript. We had such a great time working on William Warburton and figuring out how to add all the editing notes with this new fangled machine. Our family moved before I could work with her again. What a lovely woman to work with; what a great scholar. I offer my sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues.
Eugene Connolly
December 21, 2018
Thank you to Elise and all her family for the gift or her spiritual beauty. She a soul steady, loyal, positive-thinking, light-hearted, serious,independent and courageous. Elise has been generous and smart, makes me wish I and all could become so serene, warm and entertaining. She is such a gift and in her easy example will live with all of us forever! Bless her and her fine life. Bless her loving and loyal family, each member of which has to have been sweet inspiration and strength for her.
Love, Gene Connolly
November 8, 2018
May she R.I.P and may aching hearts find a measure of comfort in prayers, memories, and God's promise at Hos:13:14
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Virginia Gwynn
October 30, 2018
Lisy was one of the nicest people I have ever known. She was also funny, smart, kind, generous,and compassionate. The list could on and on. I will miss Lisy and our weekly phone conversations. She was always upbeat and positive. I learned a lot about life from her.
She will always be in my heart.
October 27, 2018
Dear family of Lizy,
My acquaintance with your mother was short but very meaningful. It was the love of poetry that brought us together.
I loved your mom and I will miss her always.
Sincere condolences,
Kathleen Bennett
October 26, 2018
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1, 2.
October 26, 2018
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1, 2.
Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results
Make a Donation
in Elise Knapp's name
Memorial Events
for Elise Knapp
Funeral services provided by:
Hawley Lincoln Memorial Funeral Services - New Haven424 Elm Street, New Haven, CT 06511
People and places connected with Elise
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Elise's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Elise Knapp's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
