SUNSET BEACH — Anne Marie Knisley, 78, departed her loving family Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020. She was born July 10, 1942, to Blanche Gosselin Rixon and John Richard “Dick” Rixon in Springfield, Vermont.
Anne was a beloved and dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, friend and teacher who personified kindness. Anne grew up in St. Albans, Vermont As the youngest of six children and the only girl, she was the apple of her mother’s eye. When she was little, her brothers liked to tease her by putting her on top of the refrigerator until she squealed to be rescued. She admired her brothers and stayed in close touch with them. She was fond of her many nieces and nephews. We have great memories of large family gatherings over the years.
Anne fell in love with Bob while they were attending Castleton State College. They married June 19, 1965, and had two daughters, Angie and Kathy. They lived in Waterville, Maine, until her mother Blanche conveniently found a job for Bob as athletic director in Colchester, Vermont, located just 30 minutes away from her in St. Albans, Vermont. Anne taught 3rd grade in Colchester for 32 years. She loved her students and spent many extra hours turning her classroom into a learning environment she was proud of. She retired happily at age 58 with accolades from her peers.
Anne enjoyed dancing, traveling, shopping, arts and crafts, decorating her home and spending quality time with friends and family. She liked to cheat at board games with a wink and a smile. Anyone who received a handcrafted card from Anne recognized it as a work of art. Holidays were to be celebrated, and she made each one memorable.
After suffering a brain aneurysm Dec. 15, 2000, Anne survived 17 hours of brain surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, demonstrating her iron will to live. She told us that she saw a bright, white light and heard a voice say, “If you helped one child, you can go back.” We were fortunate to enjoy her laughter and love for 20 more years.
Her brothers Jack, Bob, Paul and Don Rixon, preceded her in death.
Anne is survived by her devoted husband of 55 years, Robert J. Knisley; two daughters, Angie Kelly, and her husband, Bill, and Kathy Wood, and her husband, Michael; brother, Jim Rixon; and four grandchildren, Patrick Kelly, Tyler Kelly, Yuna Wood and Gracie Wood.
Her journey was completed over the last three years with the help, love and dedication of Alice “Jackie” Ward and her team, Caring Angels. Many staff members of Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center cared for Anne, including aide, Casey Horne; nurses, Ann Revels and Kim Taylor; and chaplains, Mickie Norman and Kitty Boyd.
A devout Catholic, this was her favorite hymn:
“And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of his hand.”
She will be in our hearts forever.
A private funeral service will be held due to COVID-19.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCare Center, 955 Mercy Lane SE, Bolivia, NC 28422.
Share online condolences with the family at Brunswick Funeral Service.
