HELEN T. KNOWLTON

KNOWLTON HELEN TAPIA KNOWLTON "Tap" Helen concluded her long journey as an Alzheimer's patient on July 20, 2014. Born in Mobile, Alabama on January 20, 1921 to the late Robert Byron Tapia and Annie Gordon Stimpson Tapia, she graduated from Murphy High School then graduated with honors from Randolph Macon Women's College in 1942. A week later she married Negus Wolcott Knowlton, (U.S. Navy Captain, retired). Helen and Negus spent the 23 years of his military service living in Norfolk, VA, Cambridge, MA, Northern Virginia and Charleston, SC. After military service they settled in Annandale, VA. In 2005, Tap relocated to Denver, CO to be near her daughter and family. Preceded in death by her husband, Negus in 1973 and her daughter, Marie Wheeler Knowlton in 1959 from Cerebral Palsy. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Knowlton Farrell; son-in-law, John Patrick Farrell; her grandchildren, Marie Avery Moses (David) of Denver, James Byron Avery (Christine) of Aurora, CO and Jennifer Farrell (Tom Maiden) of Charlottesville, VA. She also leaves behind her six beloved great-grandchildren, Kenneth Moses, Helen Moses, Janine Elizabeth Avery, Alexis Avery, Elizabeth Maiden and Vivienne Maiden. An active volunteer in the community, Tap was a founder and officer of the Pohick Garden Club, a member of the Fairfax Tuesday Afternoon Club, and a volunteer with many other charitable organizations. In 1952 she, Negus and the Proctors founded the Falls Church Child Development Center to serve children with cerebral palsy. The school still exists today as part of Easter Seals and in 1999 Tap was honored by Easter Seals for her vision, compassion and fundraising. The Arts Club of Washington since 1974 has been a great joy to Tap; she has served as a member of the Board of Governors, been the chair of several committees, and produced two shows. A memorial service on Saturday, August 30 at 11 a.m. will be led by the Reverend Buzz Moore at Bethel United Methodist Church, 998 Kendrick Ford Road, Front Royal, VA. Friends are invited to join family at a luncheon at the North Warren Volunteer Fire Company at 266 Rockland Court, Front Royal. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Tap asked that contributions be made in her memory to the Easter Seals Child Development Center at 300 Hunton Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please share condolences at: HoranCares.com