Marjorie Margaret Knowles

In Loving Memory of
Marjorie Knowles
"Mom –Grammy-Margie-Grandma"



Born in La Jolla, CA. on May 2, 1928 and raised in Fallbrook, CA.. Marge spent the first part of her life surrounded by music, literature, theater and philosophy. Her mother was a concert pianist and piano teacher and her father an artist, violinist, and teacher. Marge's parents met and married at the Theosophical Society where she also spent a great deal of time throughout her adolescent years. Marge, a skilled pianist, played classical piano on the radio when she was just 10 years old. As a teenager she attended 4 different high schools yet managed to graduate early, at age 16. She then moved to Pt Loma where she received a Bachelor of Arts from the Theosophical University, and worked at Chadwick school teaching and managing a boy's dorm for the children of movie stars and government officials. She so enjoyed her experience at Chadwick that she decided to make teaching her career and went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Education from Arizona State College in Flagstaff and later went on to receive a Master of Science in Education with certification in Reading. While living in Flagstaff, Marge played the piano in church where she met Richard (Dick) Knowles. After following him to the University of Iowa they were married in the chapel on campus the day after Dick graduated.

Together they moved back to Dick's home town in western New York where they started their family. Within a few years they had three little girls, Lindsey, Jody and Amy. Marge raised them surrounded by music, art, and literature and instilled in them a love for learning and appreciation of nature. She would buy rolls of butcher paper and tape it on the walls where they created their first murals. The girls would cut up boxes to make doll houses and make huge forts with blankets and sheets draped from room to room. They rode unicycles, had horses and dogs and a slew of cats. Many summer days were spent with the whole neighborhood enjoying their swimming pool. As kids they were constantly writing poems, creating plays and singing. In many ways it was a sweet young life.

However, life wasn't always easy. Marge suffered from arthritis since she was a child and was in continual pain. Braving the cold snowy winters of western NY didn't help, so after her divorce and her three girls were out of high school Marge packed up and moved close to the beach in warm Southern California where she once again became a beloved teacher. She taught every grade from first through fifth in inner city schools around LA. She was a mentor to many young teachers, and also developed many close friendships. Marge also was a reading specialist. She never had a student who did not learn how to read. While in California, Grammy was close enough to Lindsey's family to see them fairly often and was able to develop a close bond with her first grandson Adrian. During these years she began taking painting classes and quickly excelled as an artist.

At 70 yrs. of age mom retired from teaching, only to be rehired 3 months later as the school's reading specialist for five more years. After her actual retirement Marge moved to the Pacific Northwest and made her home in Gig Harbor, WA. close to Amy and Jody. It was a joy for her to be a part of her other grandchildren's lives: Michael, Davis and Ava McCall; and Shanna, Stephen and Brian Coulston. Marge also built many endearing friendships in Gig Harbor. She continued to play the piano and her family will always remember her playing old spirituals, Christmas carols and of course her classical favorites. Margie always had a good book by her side. She would say "My books are my friends." She carried one with her everywhere she went.

Eventually Marge's physical needs increased and after some serious trauma that included a time in hospice, she transitioned into a nursing home. Spending her final years at Manor Care in Gig Harbor, she loved the staff, hated the food and read ferociously to pass the time. In many ways these years were stolen years. After 11 major surgeries including two bouts with cancer, triple bypass surgery, terrible arthritis, falls and hospice her daughters and grandchildren cherished their time with her. These years were a special blessing to them all.

Marge believed -"We are spiritual beings having a human experience."
Her life on this earth ended peacefully surrounded by family and music, January 7,th 2017. She was 88 years old.

She is dearly loved and will be missed by her three daughters and their families: Lindsey and Barry Abrahams and Adrian Knowles-Jackman; Jody and Mike, Shanna, Brian, Stephen and Erin Coulston with 5 little great grand Coulston's; and Amy and John, Michael, Davis, and Ava McCall. In addition, she will be missed by Richard, Jackie and Rick Knowles and her extended family and many dear friends.