Gloria (Civitella) Knapp

Gloria C. Knapp, age 86, of Downingtown, PA, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, surrounded by her four children.

Gloria was born March 17, 1931, in Cedar Hollow (near Malvern), PA, to the late Nicholas and Antoinette Civitella. In 1948, “Civie” graduated from Marple Newtown High School along with 42 classmates, including James (Jim) Knapp. After school she went to work in the drafting department at Westinghouse. During this time, while Jim served in the Korean War, they started corresponding with letters and at her sister’s wedding, Jim asked Gloria out on their first date. They married in 1956 and would have celebrated 61 years in September.

Through the years, Gloria volunteered for local organizations and at her kids’ schools, worked part-time at Crestmont Caterers and as a switchboard operator at the Downingtown Inn. Later, she worked full-time as switchboard operator at Foote-Mineral Company in Exton. Gloria’s main focus in life was that of wife and mother to her husband and children.

In retirement Gloria and Jim enjoyed traveling the country and taking cruises. They wintered at Oakview Lakes in Fort Meade, Florida, and later settled back at Spring Run Estates in Coatesville, PA. For the past two years, Gloria lived at Ashbridge Manor in Downingtown where she enjoyed playing cards and board games, as well as reading and spending time with her family.

 In addition to her parents, Gloria is preceded in death by her husband James A. Knapp Sr., who passed away in 2011, and her brother Domenic.

Gloria is survived by her four children: Susan (Gary) Siter, Jeanne (Vince) Juliana, Laurie (Peter) Lively, and James (Jodi) Knapp Jr.; nine grandchildren and three (soon to be four) great grandchildren; sister Rita (Mike) Mallon and brother Tom (Sue) Civitella.

A celebration of Gloria’s life will be held at 12PM, Friday, November 3, 2017 at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA, where friends may visit from 10AM-11:50AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Gloria’s name can be made to Meals on Wheels America (National Office) mealsonwheelsamerica.org. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com.

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