Marie Smith Knapp
Marie Smith Knapp, age 95, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, nurse, and Christian, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 5 am.
Marie was born on November 25, 1926, in Salem, West Virginia. She grew up in West Union, West Virginia during the Great Depression. Living during those times made her appreciative of and grateful for everything she had and she held on to those values for the rest of her life.
Marie graduated from Doddridge County High School in 1944 and from Ohio Valley General School of Nursing in 1947. Choosing a career in nursing demonstrated her belief in helping others. She worked at Concord Hospital in New Hampshire, returned to West Virginia and worked at Doddridge Family Medicine, and finally, after moving back to New Hampshire, at Alice Peck Day Hospital for the remainder of her career.
While in nursing school, Marie met the love of her life, Paul Armstrong Knapp, Jr. and married him three months later, on September 7, 1947. Paul was studying to become a pharmacist and after he graduated from Ohio State, he and Marie settled in Columbus then Bridgeport, Ohio where they had five children.
In 1964 the family moved to Concord, New Hampshire where Paul was hired as a pharmaceutical salesman. Family was Marie’s primary focus even as she continued her work as a nurse. In spite of the demands of motherhood and a career, she was calm, always on an even keel, and was the foundation of her family.
In retirement, Marie enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and going on a boat cruise. She also spent time looking after her three grandsons. Just as she had with her children before, she gave her grandsons love, guidance, and wisdom.
Marie was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Concord and Lebanon, NH and West Union, WV.
Marie was predeceased by her husband Paul (1984), and her daughters Rebecca (1963) and Sarah (2011). Marie’s faith and strength helped her bear these losses and carry on with grace and courage. She is survived by her three sons, Paul David (Suzy Starr), and Tom (Alexis Eaton); her son-in-law, Mike Higgins; and her three grandsons, Josh, Ryan (Deb), and Colby Higgins.
Donations in her memory may be made to Guiding Eyes for the Blind or the Society of St. Andrew.
Funeral service will be at 11:00
am on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at the Lebanon United Methodist Church in Lebanon, NH.
To leave a message of remembrance or condolence, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
Opal Edwina Young
Opal Edwina Young, 89 of West Union departed this life on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at her residence. She was born on September 19, 1933 in Ritchie County a daughter of the late Coy and Iva Stout Adams. On November 29 1953 she married Delford Young who survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Charlotte Lantz and husband Joe, Mineral Wells, Linda Coffman and husband Rick, New Milton, Cynthia Spaulding and husband Steve, Harrisville, 12 grandchildren, Manessa (Joe) Padilla, Melanie ( Scott) Danuser, Joseph (Brandi) Lantz, Jill (Jared) Bryant, Lori (Jeremy) Davis, Jordan ( Daniel) Hill, Emily (Derek) Doll, Erin Beck, Alice (Zach) Linville, Shane Beck, John and Connor Spaulding, 14 great grandchildren, two sisters, Carol Jones, Fredricksburg, VA, Joan Brace, Gerrardstown, WV, two brothers, Ben Adams, West Union, Kenneth Adams, Ritchie County,. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one son, Roger Young, three sisters, Reatha Adams, Ruth Pierce and Beatrice Urban, four brothers, Cecil, Eugene, Charles and Joe Adams.
Mrs. Young was a former employee of Quality Garments where she had worked for 15 years. She was a member of Emmanuel United Methodist Church. Opal was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister.
Funeral services will be conducted in the Spurgeon Funeral Home 56 Front St. West Union on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at noon with Pastor David McCauley presiding. Interment will follow in the Masonic Memorial Park. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 4-8 p.m. and after 9 a.m. on Tuesday until time of service. Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.spurgeonfunerals.com. Spurgeon Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Young family.