Katheryne Virginia Saint-Amour

Katheryne peacefully ended her 94-year journey on July 7, 2021 after months of declining health. Resilient in her ways, as those who knew her will attest, she insisted that she remain in the comfort of her home in Annapolis, Maryland surrounded by the family that she loved.

Katheryne entered this world on May 24th in 1927 in the farming community of Richmond, Indiana to Robert and Pauline Knoll. Her early years were spent with the challenging times of farm life which developed her strong work ethic and independence. After graduating Whitewater High School, Katheryne continued her education Earlham College. She was later employed as a sewing instructor at a local sewing center, a proficient skill that that she carried throughout her life.

A fateful encounter at a soda fountain shop in 1944 introduced her to John Saint-Amour, a French horn musician with the Elliot Lawrence Orchestra. After a brief courtship, they were married in Denver, Colorado and honeymooned at Niagara Falls and New York City. John’s musical career allowed the couple to travel the United States before settling down in Ohio in 1950 to start a family. Over the course of 14 years, Katheryne gave birth to five children and enjoyed being a wonderful and nurturing mother. After numerous homes in Solon, Chargrin Falls and Gates Mills, Ohio the family moved to Weston, Massachusetts. While her children flourished through school and college, unfortunately her marriage did not, and she divorced John. Soon after, she moved to converted brick school building in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts to start her new life and in a new home that was of her own creation. Filled with light and her creative touches, this new home always welcomed friends and family with the open arm love that only she could offer.

With her children grown, many now with children of their own, Katheryne made the decision to move to Annapolis, Maryland in 2002 to be closer to family and to be in a warmer location than the winters of Massachusetts. Once again, she found the perfect home and made it her own with wonderful imagination and decor. Katheryne enjoyed this home for 20 years with wonderful neighbors and visiting friends and family. Not always content to be idle at home, she enjoyed traveling to see family in Maine, Martha’s Vineyard and New York. One of the travel events that help define her adventurous soul was a safari trip to East Africa in 1997 with her oldest daughter Paula. This one travel experience resonated with her the rest of her life.

Katheryne was predeceased by her parents, her brother Gerald Knoll and sister Myrna Peters. Katheryne’s daughter Beth Ann Saint-Amour passed away in January 2020 with her mother at her side, of course. She is survived by daughter Paula Saint-Amour, son John Saint-Amour with his wife Barbara and their two sons Barrett and Will, and son Steven Saint-Amour with his wife Joan and their two daughters Emy and Reine. Katheryne is also survived by daughter’s Beth’s husband Jay Wilbur, nieces and nephews that include Pam Maddox, Darlene Knoll, Nicole Saint-Amour and great cousin Betsy Cook. Lastly, Katheryne leaves the countless number of family friends, classmates and friends of her children, neighbors and even strangers who claimed Katheryne as their mother too. She always gave from her heart, was truly one of a kind and she will be missed.

Her family expresses their appreciation to the many physicians, nurses, hospice staff and Teri Jacobson for their loving care of their mother, thank you.