Ruth McMahon Knapp (1925-2012)

FARMINGTON - Ruth McMahon Knapp passed peacefully at The Pierce House on Friday, June 22, 2012 with daughter Sue by her side. The Pierce House had been her home since August 2009.

Ruth was born Nov. 12, 1925 in Rockland, Maine, the daughter of Charles F. and Mabel T. McMahon. In 1944 she graduated from Rockland High School and throughout her lifetime, remained close to many classmates and childhood friends.

She attended Farmington State Teachers College and graduated from the home economic program in 1948. While at college, Ruth met and fell in love with Earl Knapp of Farmington.

Ruth and Earl were married in Rockland July 11, 1948 and lived in Farmington for the rest of their lives. She was active in her community in many ways; she was involved with Girl Scouts, Monday Club, AAUW, Garden Club, Titcomb Ski Club and was a member of the Old South Congregational Church. For years, Ruth and Earl volunteered with the bereaved parents and patient support groups at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

Ruth treasured spending time with her family and friends and especially cherished her time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed skiing, swimming, playing bridge and walking.

Ruth is survived by daughter Susan Knapp Taylor and her husband Paul of Brunswick, granddaughter Erin Gina Tracy Birmingham and her husband Matt of Hillsboro, OR and grandson Tyler M. Tracy and his wife Andree of Clovis, N.M., step granddaughters Kris Collins of Camden and Tina Taylor and her married partner Kristen Ripley of Medford, MA, great grandchildren Beckett Birmingham and Addison Tracy, nephews Charles and Michael McMahon of Rockland and niece Nancy McMahon Wing of Yarmouth and their families. Ruth was predeceased by her daughter Gina (Virginia) in 1974, her husband Earl in 2006, her brother Charles Douglas McMahon in 2003 and best friend and sister-in-law Christine McMahon in 2012.

Her family would like to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to Darlene Mooar and the staff at The Pierce House and Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the loving care Ruth received.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with her family on her tribute wall at www.wilesrc.com.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service Friday, July 27, 2012 at 2pm at Wiles Funeral Home, Cremation Service & Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (Rts. 2 & 27), Farmington. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Pierce House, Darlene Mooar, Administrator, 204 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938.