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Obituary - Friend - Minna Knighton 105 yrs old
Minna Knighton
[ Age 105 ] Centenarian was gifted with a keen memory and a talent for telling 'mesmerizing stories' about her life.
By Frederick N. Rasmussen | Sun reporter
March 12, 2008
Minna C. Knighton, who enjoyed regaling family and friends with stories gleaned from more than a century's worth of living, died Friday at Upper Chesapeake Hospital in Bel Air. The Baldwin resident was 105.
Mrs. Knighton, who had lived at Dulaney Valley Assisted Living in Baldwin since 2003, suffered a fall earlier in the week that contributed to her death.
Minna Clara Kopp was born at home on Fairmount Avenue, the eldest of seven children. In 1916, she moved to a home on Luzerne Avenue and worked in her family's nearby confectionary store while attending St. Elizabeth's Elementary School.
Mrs. Knighton worked as a bookkeeper until 1921, when she became a payroll clerk for $17 a week.
After marrying George Wilbur Knighton, a United Railways and Electric Co. streetcar motorman, in 1923, the couple settled into a home on Luzerne Avenue in East Baltimore.
Miss Kopp had caught the attention of her future husband as she walked by his house.
"He'd be sitting on his front porch and used to watch her get off the streetcar. He'd watch her through a small hole he made in the newspaper so he wouldn't be so obvious," said a niece, Mary Charlotte Layton of Lutherville, laughing.
"They finally met each other at St. Katharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, and their first date was a moonlight cruise," she said. "Until the day she died, she always called him her 'Prince Charming.'"
In 1948, they purchased a lot in Tolchester overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, and later built a small vacation home there in 1953.
It became their permanent residence in 1970, and after her husband's death in 1983, Mrs. Knighton continued living there alone until 2001, when she moved into the Easton home of a niece and her husband.
"She was in her 90s and still did all of her own yardwork. She pushed a wheelbarrow, trimmed trees and worked in her garden," Mrs. Layton said.
Mrs. Knighton remained physically and mentally engaging.
"She never needed a walker and only carried a cane. She got herself up, made her bed and dressed each day. She was a very dignified lady who never wore slacks," her niece said, adding:
"She was also renowned for her excellent memory of dates, names, and birthdays of all her family and friends."
But it was Mrs. Knighton's repertoire of stories that captivated family members and friends.
"Aunt Minnie's memory was unbelievable, and she told the most mesmerizing stories. She made history come alive," Mrs. Layton said.
"She recalled reading a special edition of the newspaper about the sinking of the Titanic and that all passengers had been rescued," Mrs. Layton said. "She then woke up the next day to read that many lives were lost at sea."
Mrs. Knighton also had vivid memories of the day World War I ended.
"She always called it Armistice Day. She was working as a bookkeeper that day the war ended and recalled all the church bells ringing, whistles blowing and businesses closing to celebrate this historic occasion," her niece said. "She also said she got on board a pickup truck and rode through the streets with the driver blowing the horn."
But Mrs. Knighton wasn't one to dwell strictly in the past.
"Oh, she was right up on the presidential primaries and enjoyed watching the debates. She liked watching CNN, following the news, and discussing current events," her niece said.
"What kept her sharp was her reading. She was feisty and held onto her opinions. You could never put anything over on her because she'd say, 'What are you doing? I wasn't born yesterday.'"
Mrs. Knighton was also an avid lottery fan and would shush people so she could hear the lottery numbers when they came on TV, her niece said.
Mrs. Knighton's path to longevity was in eating only two meals a day - she gave up eating lunch in 1908 - Mrs. Layton said.
"She'd eat anything and wasn't a health food nut. She also loved ice cream, cakes and pies and blackberry wine. She never smoked," her niece said.
Religion was also a focus of her life.
"God always came first in her life and she tried hard to live a life that revolved around religion," Mrs. Layton said.
A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church at 8501 Loch Raven Blvd. in Baynesville.
Also surviving are a sister, Marie Kopp of Arbutus; and several other nieces and nephews.
fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com
More articles
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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Obituary - Friend - Scott Bergdoll
Eldridge Scott Bergdoll, age 89 of Windmill Lane, Moorefield, WV, passed away Sunday morning, February 25, 2007 at the Grant Memorial Hospital in Petersburg, WV. Born May 14, 1917 in Grant Co., WV he was the son of the late George & Hattie (Shoemaker) Bergdoll. Mr. Bergdoll had retired from American Woodmark and was a superintendent at Boot Hill Community Church. He was preceded in death by an infant son, three sisters and three brothers.
Surviving is his loving wife of 60 years, Iona (Crites) Bergdoll; a son, Rosco Bergdoll of Moorefield, WV; two daughters, Frances Funk of Purgitsville, WV & Judy Jenkins of Moorefield, WV; a brother, Ray Bergdoll of Moorefield, WV; two sisters, Eshter Simmons & Arvella Jones of Hagerstown, MD; three grandchildren, Scotty Bergdoll, Tresa Wills & Jared Funk and three great-grandchildren, Katelynn Wills, Keaton Funk & Tiffani Hinkle.
Funeral Services will be conducted 1:00 PM Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at the Fraley Funeral Home in Moorefield with Pastors Otha Hinkle & Brad Taylor & Bro. Ernest Frymyer officiating. Interment will follow at the North Mill Creek Cemetery, Dorcas, WV. The family will receive friends from 2 – 4 & 6 - 8 PM Tuesday at the Fraley Funeral Home.
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Obituary - Grandma Margaret from Moorefield, WV
Margaret Kifer Myers
(December 17, 1941 - February 4, 2007)
Margaret Kifer Myers, age 65 of Lost River State Park Road, Moorefield, WV, passed away Sunday evening, February 4, 2007 at the Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. Born December 17, 1941 in Mineral Co., WV, she was the daughter of the late James W. Kifer & Carrie A. (Baker) Stonestreet. Her step-father, Glenn J. Stonestreet also preceded her in death
Surviving is her husband of 36 years, Riley T. Myers; three sons, Ronnie Stonestreet and wife Charlotte of Cabins, WV, Jamie Stonestreet and wife Lucy of Fisher, WV & Timmy Myers and wife Teresa of Fisher, WV; a daughter, Carrie Lynn Stonestreet Buckley and husband Eddie of Moorefield, WV; two brothers James Kifer & Glenn E. Stonestreet of Moorefield, WV; a sister, Roseanna Myers of Moorefield, WV; six grandsons, Joshua, P.J., Jake, Dylan, Mason & Little Tim; six granddaughters, Monica, Miranda, Kelci, Breanna, Jaime & Carmen; and a great-grandson Zaiden.
Funeral Services will be conducted 1:00 PM Thursday, February 8, 2007 at the Fraley Funeral Home with Pastor Joseph Gerstell officiating. Interment will follow at the Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 – 9 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Obituary - Friend in heaven and at their chapel at Garden's of Faith
AQUIA, Salvatore Suddenly on March 25, 2005, SALVATORE AQUIA past MD. State and National Prep Wrestling Champion, B.S. U of MD., Class of '03; Arch. Curley H.S., Class of '97, beloved son of Salvatore and Rosalina (nee Andracchio) Aquia Jr., dear brother of Antonio and Elisabetta Aquia and their significant others, Karen and Kevin, loving nephew of Federico and Carmela Andracchio, Bruno and Maria Feudale of Italy and Rose Bellock of Ohio, dear grandson of Elisabetta Andracchio of Italy and the late Bruno Andracchio and the late Salvatore and Salvatrice Aquia, dear cousin of Bruno, Gianni, Gina, Giovanni, Alessandro and Lucia, significant other of Nicole Paul, dearest friend of Pierino, Sharon, Pierino Jr., Delio and Lisa Pennacchia, Compari Pasquale and Caterina Pupo and Nicholas Commodari, and also survived by countless loving family and friends. Friends may call at the CVACH/ROSEDALE FUNERAL HOME, 1211 Chesaco Ave., on Monday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday 10:30 A.M., St. Clement Catholic Church, Interment Gardens of Faith Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory to Arch Bishop Curley H.S., Salvatore Aquia Wrestling Scholarship Fund, 3701 Sin Claire Ln., Baltimore, MD 21213.
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Obituary - Friend - Ryan C. Martin
Martin, Ryan C. - Suddenly on February 28, 2003, RYAN CHRISTOPHER; beloved son of Rebecca Lowe Martin and the late Dana N. Martin; dear brother of Derrick J. Martin; ...
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Obituary
WILES, Christopher S.
Suddenly on January 6, 2006, CHRISTOPHER SCOTT WILES, beloved son of William Scott Wiles and Christy Ganoe Kimble, stepson of Tom Kimble; devoted brother of Joshua, Gavin and Cylee; caring uncle of Zaiden; loving grandson of Mary Ganoe and the late Lawrence Ganoe, Pete Wiles and the late Ann Wiles; cherished nephew of Sherry Ganoe, Randy Orndorff and Lisa Wiles; dear cousin of Ryan Ganoe, Jamie and Randy Orndorff II, numerous other cousins and a special friend, Renee Watkins.
Friends may call at the family owned Evans Chapel of Memories-Parkville on Monday, January 9, 2006 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.m. where funeral services will be held 10 A.M., Tuesday, January 10.
Interment Gardens of Faith Chapel.
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