Sherry Knopf Crasilneck, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, businesswoman, philanthropist, artist and Mensan, died October 7, 2013, after a lengthy illness. She was born in the Bronx, New York in 1920, the first of four children of Murray and Mollie Gold. As a young adult in New York, Sherry became a John Robert Powers model, while enrolled in evening classes at the Art Students League. She studied anatomy, perspective and illustration and later oil painting with Robert Brackman. Art was her first love.
In 1940, Sherry married Albert Knopf. Sherry and Albert moved to Dallas, Texas in 1945 following Albert’s World War II service in the US Air Corps. They opened Lone Star Camera Exchange in Oak Cliff. Both their business and their lives thrived until the untimely death of Albert in 1957. With three children at home, Sherry continued to run the family camera business.
In 1959, she married Dr. Harold Crasilneck, who taught psychiatry at Southwestern Medical School. Sherry managed his private practice after he left the medical school in 1960. She worked as research assistant and editor of his book and many research papers. Sherry was always the ambassador by his side. Sherry was professionally recognized for mentoring young psychologists as they opened their practices. She continued running Lone Star Camera Exchange until she sold her business in 1965.
Sherry then devoted her time to the success of her family. With a very active life, she returned to her first love painting, and produced 40 large works and 27 miniatures. She donated many prints of her works to KERA-TV for auction in support the local PBS affiliate. She published a book showcasing her art and poetry called, Eclectic Treasures in 2005.
The Crasilnecks committed themselves to philanthropy and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Their work lives on today.
Sherry is preceded in death by her beloved husbands Albert Knopf and Harold Crasilneck and son Rik Knopf.
She is survived by her children, Candace Hyman and Jonathan Knopf, their respective spouses Leo Hyman, Susan Knopf, and daughter-in-law Susie Knopf; her grandchildren; Randy and Amy Knopf, Jennifer and Scott Bernstein, Brian Rosen, Shayna and Jeff Sanborn, Erin Knopf, Mollie Knopf, and Travis Knopf; her great grandchildren, Rebecca Knopf, Natalie Taibel, Ari Bernstein, Riley Sanborn, Matthew Sanborn, and Amber Sanborn. Sherry is also survived by her extended family of grandchildren and great grandchildren, Kevin and Beth Hyman and their children, Taylor and Matthew; Lisa and Lennie Nicholson and their children, Mitchell, Tyler, Sadie and Savannah; Debi Sorelle, and David and Danielle Hyman.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm, Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Sparkman/Hillcrest Northwest Highway Chapel.
Sherry’s family wishes to thank the entire Reminiscent staff of Sunrise Nursing Home in North Dallas for their tireless efforts throughout her illness. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate charitable donations to Alzheimer Research, The American Heart Association, or The Rik Knopf Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Washington University, 7425 Forsyth Blvd. Campus Box 1204, St. Louis, MO 63105.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18