Barbara Joanne Knopf

Born in Detroit, Michigan on August 26, 1928, as the oldest child of Jack and Helen Burbank, Barbara grew up in Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to study nursing. She met Donald C. Knopf there, whom she married on August 14, 1948. They remained a couple for 63 years until his passing in 2012.

Their son, Timothy, was born in 1949. In 1953 the family moved to Seattle, Washington when Donald took a position as an engineer with the Boeing Airplane Manufacturing Company. In early 1954 they moved to Bellevue, Washington and welcomed to the family the birth of a daughter, Loretta.

Donald and Barbara were founding members of Bellevue First Presbyterian Church. Barbara served as an elder and sang in the choir for many years. She was active in her community in other ways as well, serving in the Arboretum Society, as program chairperson for the East of the Lake Area of the Seattle King County Council of Campfire, as president of both the Bellevue and King County Library Boards, as a volunteer with the annual Bellevue Arts and Craft Festival and as a docent at the Museum of Flight.

In 1956-57, she served as Mrs. Bellevue and in 1957-58 as Mrs. Washington. She also served on Bellevue’s Overlake Medical Center Auxiliary and cut the ribbon at the hospital’s 1960 opening ceremony.

Through the late 1950’s and early 1960’s she spent pleasant family vacations on the family boat touring the San Juan and Gulf Islands with tiny Matia Island as a favorite location.

With her children in school, Barbara worked as an elementary school library assistant. That led to a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington after which she enjoyed many years working in the King County Library System at the Bellevue Public Library.

Late in Donald’s Boeing career, Barbara joined him during a two-year assignment as a field agent in Sao Paulo, Brazil. While there, they toured the country and made many friends. She learned Portuguese and developed a keen interest in Brazilian art. After Don’s retirement, they traveled extensively across Europe.

Barbara was instrumental in the development of Emerald Heights, a new retirement community in Redmond, Washington based on the concept of continuing senior care, serving on its Board of Directors from 1992 prior to opening through 1997.

In 1999 Barbara and Donald became residents at Emerald Heights, making friends and enjoying life in their independent living cottage. During her 26 years of residency there Barbara experienced every level of continuing care available: independent living, assisted living and finally skilled nursing.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Jacquelynne Moore (George) and brother, John Burbank of Plymouth, Michigan; by her children, Timothy Knopf (Jacqueline) of Everett, and Loretta Fosnes (Eric) of Woodinville; by her grandchildren Emily Knopf (Warren Connacher) of Blaine, Elizabeth Knopf (Jason Frost) of Tukwila, Kyle Fosnes (Molly Cook) of North Bend, and Drew Fosnes (Helen) of Billings, Montana; her great grandchildren, Elleyse Fosnes and Isla and Claire Connacher, as well as by friends at Emerald Heights and across the Eastside.

A memorial service is planned for Barbara on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sammamish and Avondale Rooms at Emerald Heights,10901 176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barbara may be made to:

• The King County Library System Foundation at https://www.kclsfoundation.org/donate

• The Overlake Medical Center Foundation at https://www.overlakehospital.org/giving/make-a-gift

• The University of Washington Clinical Ophthalmology Fund at Give.uwmedicine.org