KEENE, NH, AND PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Vivian M. Gallupe Knowles, 100, a long-time resident of Presque Isle, ME, passed away at her daughter’s home in Keene, NH, on May 27, 2017, following a brief period of declining health.
Vivian was born July 12, 1916, in Bridgwater, ME, the daughter of Bedford and Laurena (Hawksley) Gallupe: she was the 11th child of sixteen children. She learned early the value of hard work and family at the Gallupe homestead in Bridgewater, ME, where the Gallupe boys helped their father farm the land and the Gallupe girls helped their mother with running the household and caring for the younger children. The Gallupe girls often were hired to assist the neighboring families in house work an domestic chores as well. Vivian’s father was not only a potato farmer but a skilled carpenter and woodworked: Occasionally it meant the family had to live in the logging camps when Vivian’s father worked in the woods.
High school was a long walk from their farm to the Mars Hill School. The winter months made the trek very difficult. Their father, when able, hitched up the horses to a sleigh and took them. Vivian often would ski to school. After completing her education, Vivian moved to Waterville, CT, and found employment as a nanny for a family there. While there she met the love of her life: Marmaduke “Duke” Knowles, through her neighbor, Duke’s sister. The two were married in 1938. In 1947, Vivian and Duke moved to Presque Isle, ME.
Vivian was a strong, hard working woman. Growing up in the Depression and the hardships of life in general, taught her survival skills in making the most of each day. She was a very wise woman and when she gave you “well lived” advice, you listened. Her dry, unexpected wit and comments would either surprise you or delight you. She enjoyed being a homemaker and was a wonderful cook. She worked at the Presque Isle City Dry Cleaners across for the Old State Theater for years. She also worked a time at Converse Shoe Co., at the Presque Isle Air Force Base. Her passion was doing carpentry in her home, building kitchen cabinets, paneling, etc. She loved family to visit her and her first words when you arrived were, “How about a cup of coffee?”or “Are you hungry?”. Vivian loved holiday, playing cards, Sunday rides and trips to New Hampshire to visit her son Tim and his family. One of her most treasured experiences was her trip to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, that she took with her daughter Beverly. Vivian loved the old-time country music and looked forward to family get-togethers where her daughter, Beverly and son Kenneth played and sang her old favorites. Coming from a musical family, Vivian especially enjoyed playing the Banjo.
Vivian is the last of her siblings to pass away: She was predeceased by her husband of 53 yeas: Duke Knowles, eight brothers: Cecel, Kenneth, Bernard, Reuel, Glenburn, Philip, James and Vincent, and seven sisters: Opal Ross, Velma Black, Evelyne Busch, Doris Leblanc, Viola Foster, Edith DeMille and Violet Gallupe.
Vivian is survived by two beloved sons: Kenneth Knowles and his wife Caren of Presque Isle, ME, and Timothy Knowles and his wife Tracy of Swanzey, NH, her beloved daughter: Beverly Langley of Keene, NH, who cared for Vivian for 20 years, nine beloved grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Family and friends are invited to a Graveside Memorial Service on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Corner Cemetery in Bridgewater, ME, with Pastor Gardner Smith officiating. The family is being assisted with arrangements by the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH, and by the Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, ME.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the National Federation of the Blind of Maine, the National MS Society, 1800 M. Street, NW. Suite B 50 North, Washington, DC. 20036, or to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL. 33607.
Please visit www.foleyfuneralhome.com to leave an online remembrance.
