Obituary for Nancy G. Knapp
Nancy G. Knapp, lifelong Wichita resident, entered God's kingdom on September 14, 2023.
Nancy, the most loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother is survived by her grandchildren, Kayleigh Nguyen of Kansas City, Missouri, and James Nguyen of Wichita. Nancy loved and cherished each of them with all her heart. She was always the "rock" providing a solid foundation for them as well as being their safe haven of unconditional love and support. She nurtured their strong and resilient spirits, cheered on their accomplishments and was excited about their future paths.
Nancy entered this world on May 21, 1954, and was the daughter of Jack D. and Genevieve LeBlond. She is survived by her sister Judy Weber Morris (James) of Derby; brother Michael H. LeBlond (Joanne) as well as Judy's daughters, Kathryn Pippin (Chris) and Jacqueline Weber, and Judy's stepchildren Susan Topping, Jeff Morris, and Scott Morris and their families.
Besides her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her husband, James Knapp; her children, Paul Knapp, and Kristen Knapp Nguyen; and her fiancé, John Brooks. Nancy & John found each other at a time after both had lost their spouses. They were a blessing to one another, forging a loving relationship that was cut short by his passing.
Music was always in her soul. In fact, she stated that her life was "defined by music – different stages…different ages…highlights and heartaches…dreams and disasters". She noted that folk music soothed her "rebellious teenage soul" and that she and her guitar made lots of memories together. It was through her guitar that she met the love of her life, Jimmy Knapp. They married when she was 19 and were together until cancer claimed his life 30 years later.
She also loved the Beatles, James Taylor, jazz…and found joy and peace in all kinds of music. She loved to sing in church & school choirs and vocal groups, the WSU summer choir, Stage One Singers, the Wichita Symphony and even in NYC's Carnegie Hall! In her performance there, besides singing in the full chorus, she felt very honored to be chosen as one of the six voices to sing the featured part in "Oh Fortina".
Nancy has always been a champion for theatre. She fell in love with musical theater as a 10-year-old child when her Dad and Mom took the family to see "Guys & Dolls" (with Dan Dailey and Betty Grable) in Las Vegas.
Nancy has been a constant positive presence in various local theatre groups:
Center for the Arts: (also served as its marketing director);
Stage One: Founder and board member until 1998;
Forum Theatre Wichita: advisor, idea person, marketing consultant and supporter. Nancy has been in the front row at every show for over 35 years!
In addition to her devotion to the arts, Nancy supported many civic causes throughout her life and was active in Designing Women, Junior League, MARK Arts, P.E.O., Chapter EM, and Sunflower Friends.
Nancy grew up on north Bluff in College Hill and never strayed far from that area, living most of her adult life in her home across from the College Hill Park swimming pool.
Upon graduation from Wichita State University in 1988, Nancy worked in the health insurance industry and also became a very successful Mary Kay consultant and Monat Market Partner, forming lifelong friendships and achieving numerous honors in those roles.
Nancy was also a Shocker Basketball fan through and through, and was very excited to be honored in January 2018 as the Mel Hamilton Ford Fan of the Game.
She had a passion for serving and loved giving to her family, her friends, and her community. Nancy stayed closely connected to her many friends and frequently called them to ask how things were going, "what can I help you with today, and what can I do to help you feel fantastic". Nancy always had a listening ear for everyone and a gift of making everyone feel special. If asked for a one-word definition of herself, her answer would be "Friend"!
Nancy had the personality and natural charisma to make friends no matter the situation, and both her smile and her laugh were infectious. She was truly a wonderful woman whose impact will be forever felt by her family and friends who loved her dearly.
Her faith in God was strong and unwavering and helped her through a myriad of tragedies in her life, aided by the support of her network of close friends and family. Her passing leaves an unfillable gap in the hearts of her loved ones. Her gift of optimism, her belief that anything was possible to achieve with a smile and a chuckle, and her ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will be forever treasured by everyone she knew.
Nancy firmly believed that this life is but the first "chapter" in the book of life, and we can be confident that she has moved on to her next chapter in heaven with her Lord.
A Celebration of Nancy's life will be held on October 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in the north auditorium @ NewSpring Church, 12200 East 21st Street North, Wichita, Kansas.
Immediately after the service, we invite you to join the family at The Candle Club, 6135 East 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas, as together we remember Nancy and her remarkable life.
The Nancy G. Knapp Memorial Fund has been established with The Forum Theatre of Wichita, PO Box 21380, Wichita, KS 67208; www.forumtheatre.org
Donations may also be made in memory of Nancy G. Knapp to the Wichita Family Crisis Center, 7824 East 32nd Street North, Wichita, KS 67226. (316) 263-7501.
All family and friends are welcome. Please share with others who knew her.
Nancy, the most loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother is survived by her grandchildren, Kayleigh Nguyen of Kansas City, Missouri, and James Nguyen of Wichita. Nancy loved and cherished each of them with all her heart. She was always the "rock" providing a solid foundation for them as well as being their safe haven of unconditional love and support. She nurtured their strong and resilient spirits, cheered on their accomplishments and was excited about their future paths.
Nancy entered this world on May 21, 1954, and was the daughter of Jack D. and Genevieve LeBlond. She is survived by her sister Judy Weber Morris (James) of Derby; brother Michael H. LeBlond (Joanne) as well as Judy's daughters, Kathryn Pippin (Chris) and Jacqueline Weber, and Judy's stepchildren Susan Topping, Jeff Morris, and Scott Morris and their families.
Besides her parents, Nancy was predeceased by her husband, James Knapp; her children, Paul Knapp, and Kristen Knapp Nguyen; and her fiancé, John Brooks. Nancy & John found each other at a time after both had lost their spouses. They were a blessing to one another, forging a loving relationship that was cut short by his passing.
Music was always in her soul. In fact, she stated that her life was "defined by music – different stages…different ages…highlights and heartaches…dreams and disasters". She noted that folk music soothed her "rebellious teenage soul" and that she and her guitar made lots of memories together. It was through her guitar that she met the love of her life, Jimmy Knapp. They married when she was 19 and were together until cancer claimed his life 30 years later.
She also loved the Beatles, James Taylor, jazz…and found joy and peace in all kinds of music. She loved to sing in church & school choirs and vocal groups, the WSU summer choir, Stage One Singers, the Wichita Symphony and even in NYC's Carnegie Hall! In her performance there, besides singing in the full chorus, she felt very honored to be chosen as one of the six voices to sing the featured part in "Oh Fortina".
Nancy has always been a champion for theatre. She fell in love with musical theater as a 10-year-old child when her Dad and Mom took the family to see "Guys & Dolls" (with Dan Dailey and Betty Grable) in Las Vegas.
Nancy has been a constant positive presence in various local theatre groups:
Center for the Arts: (also served as its marketing director);
Stage One: Founder and board member until 1998;
Forum Theatre Wichita: advisor, idea person, marketing consultant and supporter. Nancy has been in the front row at every show for over 35 years!
In addition to her devotion to the arts, Nancy supported many civic causes throughout her life and was active in Designing Women, Junior League, MARK Arts, P.E.O., Chapter EM, and Sunflower Friends.
Nancy grew up on north Bluff in College Hill and never strayed far from that area, living most of her adult life in her home across from the College Hill Park swimming pool.
Upon graduation from Wichita State University in 1988, Nancy worked in the health insurance industry and also became a very successful Mary Kay consultant and Monat Market Partner, forming lifelong friendships and achieving numerous honors in those roles.
Nancy was also a Shocker Basketball fan through and through, and was very excited to be honored in January 2018 as the Mel Hamilton Ford Fan of the Game.
She had a passion for serving and loved giving to her family, her friends, and her community. Nancy stayed closely connected to her many friends and frequently called them to ask how things were going, "what can I help you with today, and what can I do to help you feel fantastic". Nancy always had a listening ear for everyone and a gift of making everyone feel special. If asked for a one-word definition of herself, her answer would be "Friend"!
Nancy had the personality and natural charisma to make friends no matter the situation, and both her smile and her laugh were infectious. She was truly a wonderful woman whose impact will be forever felt by her family and friends who loved her dearly.
Her faith in God was strong and unwavering and helped her through a myriad of tragedies in her life, aided by the support of her network of close friends and family. Her passing leaves an unfillable gap in the hearts of her loved ones. Her gift of optimism, her belief that anything was possible to achieve with a smile and a chuckle, and her ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will be forever treasured by everyone she knew.
Nancy firmly believed that this life is but the first "chapter" in the book of life, and we can be confident that she has moved on to her next chapter in heaven with her Lord.
A Celebration of Nancy's life will be held on October 5, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in the north auditorium @ NewSpring Church, 12200 East 21st Street North, Wichita, Kansas.
Immediately after the service, we invite you to join the family at The Candle Club, 6135 East 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas, as together we remember Nancy and her remarkable life.
The Nancy G. Knapp Memorial Fund has been established with The Forum Theatre of Wichita, PO Box 21380, Wichita, KS 67208; www.forumtheatre.org
Donations may also be made in memory of Nancy G. Knapp to the Wichita Family Crisis Center, 7824 East 32nd Street North, Wichita, KS 67226. (316) 263-7501.
All family and friends are welcome. Please share with others who knew her.