Kathleen Ann Faissal

The Longmont resident was the beloved wife of Joseph Shaheen Faissal, and the loving mother of Christina (Robert Louwers), Jacqueline (Chris Shannon), and Joe Faissal (Rose). She was the cherished grandmother of Marie (K.J.) Rodriguez, Sophia, the late David Louwers (2016), Catherine Ryu (Jemin), Natalie (Riley) Martin, Jackson and William Shannon, Joseph J.H. Faissal, and great grandmother to Jalen Rodriguez.

Kathleen was the sister of the late Don Dalrymple, Harold, Dale, and Gerald Knochel, and Mary Alice (Bill) Knochel McIntyre. She is also survived by her sister Carole Jean (Jack) Knochel Hasselbring and brother Wayne (Mary) Knochel.

Kathleen was born on March 26, 1939 in Wolcott, Indiana to Christian Knochel and Vera Jane Brown Knochel, and grew up there and in Sarasota, Florida where she graduated from high school. It was at Purdue University where she met her husband of 65 years, Joseph Faissal, and after giving birth to Christina and completing her bachelor’s degree in Home Economics in 1962, they moved to Texas where Jackie was born and Joe completed his bachelor’s degree in Math & Physics at the University of Texas, El Paso. Kathy and Joe and the girls settled in Dearborn Heights, Michigan where Joey was born - but not for long. They spent two summers in Lebanon and a year in Saudi Arabia before eventually settling in Dearborn, Michigan where Joe and Kathy lived for over 40 years. In 2009, Joe and Kathy moved to Longmont, Colorado to be near their grandchildren.

In El Paso, Kathy managed a preschool, and worked as an elementary school teacher in Dearborn Heights until Joe was born. She became a dedicated stay-at-home mother for a dozen years, and then worked as a Montessori Teacher before she began her career as an administrative assistant at EDS/A.T. Kearney where she worked for nearly 20 years. After retiring from A.T. Kearney, Kathy joined Joe at the Gold Market Jewelry Store doing bookkeeping and helping customers, until Joe and Rose were handed the reins in 2017.

Traveling was a favorite activity for Kathy and Joe and they enjoyed their annual family trips to Indiana for the Knochel Family Reunions, overseas travel to the Middle East (Lebanon) and Europe, cruises with her sister, Mary Alice and husband Bill to the Caribbean, and Brazil, and, by far, her favorite trip - a cruise to Alaska with the entire Faissal Family, grandkids and all.

Kathy loved to watch “her bunnies” hop around in the backyard, and enjoyed playing cards with Joe and their friends from church. She was an avid Purdue fan (any sport) and very much enjoyed seeing the Purdue University Varsity Glee Club “First Nighter” Concert, which she also followed annually on YouTube®.

In the spirit of thankfulness, we could all learn some lessons from Kathleen. She delighted in generosity, and whomever was on the receiving end knew it because she made you feel special; presentation was always emphasized. May Her Memory Be Eternal.

A Trisagion memorial service and visitation will be held, Monday, June 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM at St. Luke Orthodox Christian Church 722 Austin Avenue, Erie, Colorado. Followed by a dessert reception in the hall with the family. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 12:00pm (noon) at the church. A Meal of Mercy will be provided in the church hall directly following the funeral service. The interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery on County Road 3 in Erie, will begin promptly at 2:30pm.

"In lieu of flowers, people may wish to donate to the Antiochian Village Camp in memory of Kathleen where she lovingly volunteered during the summer camps."

https://avcamp.org/ways-to-give/#in-honor-memory201

“Antiochian Village Camp transforms lives and nurtures faith in Jesus Christ through Orthodox Christian community living, worship, education, fellowship, and love.”