Roberta M Knapp

Roberta Margaret Knapp, age 73, of Grayson, Georgia, formerly of Portage and Summit County, passed away peacefully after a heroic and courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at Embracing Hospice.

She was born December 7, 1936, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late William and Pauline (Ziesman) Ewald. Roberta attended St. Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Snellville, Ga. and was a former member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kent, Ohio. She was a Registered Nurse working at several area facilities including Robinson Memorial Hospital, Akron General Medical Center, Barberton Citizen Hospital, Visiting Nurse Service, and finally retiring from Stouffer's Frozen Foods.

Roberta was a very caring, loving, and compassionate woman who truly put the needs of others before herself. She was an avid gardener and birdwatcher, and never met an animal she did not love, including her beloved pets, Quincy, CJ, and Paco. Roberta enjoyed golfing and watching football. Throughout the years, she was a Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Miami Dolphins fan.

Survivors include her daughters, Lori Marie Knapp of Grayson, Ga., Theresa ``Teri' Marlene Knapp and partner, Susan M. Panning of Akron; and son, Brian Charles (Jennifer) Knapp of Grayson, Ga.; grandchildren, Brianna Lynn Knapp of Grayson, Ga., Jordan Patterson Hall and Lauren Alexandria Hall both of Akron, Ohio; brothers, William L. Ewald of Ashland, Va., Frederick H. Ewald of Johnstown, Pa., Theodore J. Ewald of Ashland, Va., and Herbert W. Ewald of Johnstown, Pa.; sister, Marlene Newbaker of Johnstown, Pa.; sister-in-law, Nancy (Jules) Rosche of Akron; also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Eugene Knapp, who was the longtime band director at Norton High School and Kent Roosevelt High School, and also preceded by her son, Kevin Thomas Knapp.

Friends will be received Monday, September 20, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, OH, 44266, where funeral services will be officiated by Reverend Richard Pentello on Tuesday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Standing Rock Cemetery in Kent. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Embracing Hospice, 5775 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Suite D850, Atlanta, GA 30342.