Helen "Pat" Knisley

Helen Patricia “Pat” Knisley, 92, of South Haven, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019 living a full and wonderful life. She was born September 7, 1926 to Stanley and Sophie (Saswnowski) Gasorski in Detroit, Michigan. Pat was a remarkable woman – a loving and devoted wife, a caring and giving mother of seven. She instilled in her life a strong faith, a passion for learning and for dreaming as well as a wonderful spirit of creativity. She was an accomplished weaver for much of her life, an honorary life member of the Pinellas Weavers Guild. She had an eye and a strong appreciation for what she called “Women’s work”, collecting hand made adorned textiles, and artwork – never wanting to discard an otherwise worn item because it had some bit of beautiful embroidery on it.

Pat filled her home with beautiful things and found joy in a “find” at a resale shop or garage sale. She and her husband Dick were drawn to Florida after retirement and they spent nearly 30 years in the Clearwater / Palm Harbor, Florida area. They loved their long walks on the beach, watching sunsets with contentment and gratitude.

Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years – Richard “Dick” who passed in 2015 and their youngest daughter – Patricia “Patti” Slepkow at the age of 47 in 2009, and their oldest grandson Kenneth Knisley at the age of 35 in 2009.

Pat is survived by her sons – Richard (Rosanna) of Hatch, Utah, Douglas (Gerri) of Boulder, Colorado, Gregory (Janet) of South Haven, Michigan, David (Jan) of Tabernash, Colorado, Mark (Jane) of Traverse City, Michigan; daughter – Mary (Rob) Waters of Saugatuck, Michigan; six grandsons – Steven, Brian, Daniel, and Ryan Knisley and Andrew and Sam Waters; six great granddaughters – McKenna and Taylor Knisley and Lily, Keelyn, Brinley, and Amara Waters; one great grandson – Ami Waters.

Pat will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia alongside her husband Dick.