Gene Margaret Knapp

Gene Margaret Magnus Knapp, 74, died Monday, March 1, 2010, at her residence in Abilene. Born in Waterbury, Vermont, on May 21, 1935, Gene was the daughter of Susan Nichols and William Eugene Magnus. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. Gene married Morgan C. Knapp, Jr. on October 19, 1957 in Waterbury, Vermont, and since 1966 had been a resident of Abilene, Texas, where she was a nurse at the Taylor County Health Department, and later worked for the Taylor County Elections Office from which she retired. Her life was built on a solid foundation of faith, family and friends. She had an abundance of all three. She was very involved in various ministries at Holy Family Catholic Church including the Parish Council and the Ladies Share Group. Gene was also the representative for Holy Family Catholic Church on the Board of Abilene Association of Congregations, a board member of the Volunteer Services Council, and a volunteer on the West Texas Girl Scout Council. Her parents; three brothers, John Magnus, William Magnus and Mark Magnus; and a sister, Jane Altobell preceded Gene in death. Gene is survived by her husband, Morgan C. Knapp, Jr. of Abilene; two sons, Stephen Knapp and wife, Robin, and David Knapp and wife, Yvette, all of San Antonio; and three daughters, Karen Teneriello and husband, Michael G. Teneriello, M.D., and Barbara Winters and husband, Bill, all of Austin; and Amy Sack and husband, Jason, of Dallas. Survivors also include her seven grandchildren, Michael Teneriello, Peter Teneriello, Lauren Winters, Lindsay Winters, Clara Knapp, Spencer Knapp and Morgan Sack, and numerous nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 5, at Holy Family Catholic Church officiated by Msgr. Fred Nawarskas. Interment will be in The Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel followed by a prayer service/rosary at 7:00 p.m. Pallbearers will be Joe "Budd" Hoff, Bernie Taylor, Larry Duggan, Doug Eichorst, Michael Teneriello and Peter Teneriello. The family would like to thank Dr. Anton Melnyk and the staff at Texas Oncology, the Hendrick Hospice Staff of Mary, Becky, Mary Lou and Laura as well as the Visiting Angels' Donna and Raven for their loving care and support these past few months. Memorials may be made to Volunteer Services Council - Abilene State Supported Living Center (formerly Abilene State School), PO Box 451, Abilene, TX 79604. Online link for donations: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/VolunteerServicesCouncilfor_2/OnlineDonation.html.