Grace Gilmore Knoop

KNOOP, Grace Gilmore - A native San Franciscan, died peacefully on Friday, July 29th after a long battle with breast cancer. She was 75. Born and raised in San Francisco, Grace Elizabeth was the daughter of the late William G. Gilmore and the late Grace D. Gilmore. Her father was the founder of Gilmore Steel Co. headquartered in San Francisco. Grace attended the Convert of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco until graduating from that high school. From there she attended Finch College in New York City and transferred to Dominican College in San Rafael. Her educational career ended when she married her husband of 53 years, Frederick G. Knoop in 1952. As newlyweds, they moved to Live Oak, CA, until they eventually settled in Atherton where they resided for 50 years. Grace was a devoted wife, mother and philanthropist in the Bay Area for her entire life. The organizations that she championed over the years included the Arthritis Foundation, Children's Hospital Auxiliary, Woodside Atherton Garden Club, the Junior League and most recently the National Tropical Botanical Garden. Grace was a longstanding member of the San Francisco Cotillion Committee An accomplished athlete throughout her life, Grace was an avid tennis player, equestrienne and golfer. In addition, she was very keen with traditional games such as bridge, backgammon and dominos. Grace was formerly active with the California Tennis Club, the Francisca Club and the Menlo Circus Club. Until her passing she was an active member of the Burlingame Country Club, the Women's Annex of the San Francisco Golf Club, the Villa Taverna and the Eldorado Country Club in Indian Wells. For 40 years Grace and Fred were passionate about thoroughbred horse breeding, training and racing. While owning and operating Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley, CA, summers were spent between the ranch and Del Mar for the summer race meet and yearling sales. Grace entertained with ease wherever she traveled and she will be most remembered by her quick wit and keen sense of humor. Surviving Grace is her husband, Frederick G. Knoop; their four children, Frederick W. "Rick" Knoop of Laguna Beach, Laura King Pfaff and her husband Rick Pfaff of San Francisco, Robert G. Knoop of Indian Wells and Katherine Knoop Beem and her husband Dave Beem of San Clemente. Additional survivors are her sister Madelyn G. Jason and brother-in-law W. Mackall Jason and their extended family. Memorial services will be private. A Celebration of her life reception will be held at the Burlingame Country Club on Thursday, August 4 at 4:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Tropical Botanical Garden, 3530 Papalina Rd, Kalaheo, HI 96741; California Pacific Medical Center Foundation, PO Box 7999, SF, CA 94120-7999, or the charity of your choice.