Emma Frances DelMonaco Knudsen

Emma was born on May 5, 1926 to first generation Italian immigrants Salvatore and Carmelina DelMonaco. She grew up in the Bronx New York along with her older brother Américo aka Ricky and her younger brother Julius.

She attended Catholic School and graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School where she earned a full academic scholarship to Hunter College. She majored in French and continued her education for a fifth year and obtained her teaching degree.

Emma commuted on the train from their apartment in the Bronx to her first teaching position in the elementary grades at Franklin Square. Several years later she earned her Master’s degree from Stoneybrook University on Long Island.

Emma married Bjarne Motzfeldt Knudsen on July 20, 1952. They resided in an apartment in Flushing Queens, New York before moving to their house in Central Islip where they raised their 3 children Pete, Lisa, and Dave.

Emma was a fourth grade teacher at Cordello Elementary School in Central Islip. Summers were spent swimming in the pool, going to the beach, sailing the EmaLisa on Lake Ronkonkoma, and always looking forward to our annual family vacation camping at the Hearthstone Campground in Lake George.

Emma retired from teaching in 1988 at the age of 62. Emma was always ready to take a trip! She loved to travel and visited many countries over the years including Italy, France, England, Spain, Norway, Peru, Israel, Scotland, Ireland and Russia to name a few. She also traveled to Mexico, Canada and numerous US states.

An avid reader, Emma would always tell us about books she read and went to the local library weekly where she’d check out a few books at a time.

She loved gardening and spend many hours in her yard planting and tending to her lovely flowers. Emma began painting in her late 70’s and started with watercolors, then acrylics and oil.

Emma was an active member of St John of God Catholic Church where she was a Eucharistic minister. She would bring Holy Communion to an ill neighbor and church members that weren’t able to attend Mass. She also volunteered in the church Thrift Shop once a week.

Emma moved to South Carolina in 2018 and resided at the Presbyterian Community of South Carolina Columbia location.

Emma’s love for her family and friends is only surpassed by her love for the Lord. She had a strong belief in God and attended Bible study groups and was always ready to share her faith.

Emma was preceded in death by her beloved husband as well as her parents, her 2 brothers and numerous relatives and friends.

She leaves behind a legacy of love through her surviving family: her children: Pete Knudsen, Lisa Turkett (Ron), and Dave Knudsen (Colleen). She was a proud “Nanny Em” to her 12 grandchildren: Melanie (Chris), Kyle, and Joe Knudsen from California, Jake Knudsen from Florida, Brian Berg (Beamie) from South Carolina, Kristen Berg (Conal) from Texas, Matt (Denise), Dave (Amanda), Peter, Patrick (Amelia), Luke (Angela), and Shane Knudsen from New York; and 17 precious great grandchildren: Cassidy, Haile, Ariyanna, Jayden, Khloe, Noah, Lukey, Ryan, Beau, Julian, Leah, Mya, Bella, Marcia, Pearl, PJ, and Pryce.

Emma will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

Emma’s family would like to thank the staff at the Presbyterian Home where she transitioned from Independent living to Dementia care to Skilled Nursing over the eight years she resided there. We also want to thank the staff of Abby Road Hospice. We will be forever grateful for the love, compassion and care she received by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at 11:00 am in the Chapel of the Presbyterian Home, 700 DaVega Drive Lexington SC. Emma’s favorite color was pink and she loved colorful things! So wear something bright and cheerful to celebrate 100 years well lived and loved.

A Funeral Mass will be held in Emma’s home town Church on Thursday, November 12th, 2026 at 9:45am, St. John of God Catholic Church, 84 Carleton Ave, Central Islip, New York 11722.

Rest in eternal peace beautiful lady and may God Bless You. 🙏 💗