Obituary of Marie S. Knup

Marie Stephanie Knup, age 84, of Philadelphia, PA passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025.

She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 30, 1941, the daughter of the late Jacob Knup, Jr. and the late Marie Stephanie (McCoy) Knup and was a life-long resident of the city. Marie grew up on Coulter Street in Germantown and subsequently resided in Erdenheim and Flourtown. For the last seven years she has resided at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia.  Marie attended Ravenhill Academy and Rosemont College, and she obtained a Master of Science from Drexel University.

Marie pursued an active and independent life. She worked at Hahnemann Medical College & Hospital of Philadelphia in the Accounting Department and then moved to serve as a Librarian at United Engineers. In retirement she brought her love of reading and library skills to her volunteer work at the Free Library of Springfield Township.

Marie was also active outside her career. She was a member of the North American Guild of Change Ringers and traveled around the country to change ring in some of the country’s most renown churches, including St. Mark's Church and the Church of Saint Martin-in-the-Fields in Philadelphia, Trinity Church in New York City and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Descended from a prominent Swiss industrialist (her grandfather, Jacob Knup) she remained connected to her roots and her family through her membership and active participation in the Swiss Benevolent Society of Philadelphia which provides grants and financial support to people and institutions of Swiss heritage.

Marie was an avid traveler and often found herself in far-flung places, including Tanzania, Kenya, China, and Cuba as well as several European countries (including Switzerland) and across the United States. She regretted that she never made it to South America. In her quieter moments, Marie was an avid reader, a passionate bridge player, a dedicated theatergoer and she provided a loving home for her three cats, Mitzi, Gretel and Jade. Her independent spirit influenced her nieces and nephews, and her love of reading, travel, bridge, and the theater live on among them. The family often gathered at their property in the Poconos (which has been in the family since 1882) to share stories and family lore and to reinforce intergenerational bonds. Her knowledge of the family history and ability to tell a good story will be sorely missed.

Marie is survived by three nieces, Elizabeth Knup (Arthur Kroeber) of New York, NY, Lynn (Knup) and Michael Bilodeau of Plymouth Meeting, PA and Jessica (Knup) and Greg Benson of Ohio; two nephews, Craig Knup (Georgetta) of Collegeville, PA and William Francis Knup, Jr. of Binghamton, NY; as well as five grand nieces and nephews, Nicole and Alexander Bilodeau, Bradley and Jamie Benson and Linden Harper Knup. She leaves behind cherished companion, Ed Kelly.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by baby sisters, Anna Barbara and Nancy Knup; and two brothers, Jacob Knup III and William Francis Knup.

Her Memorial Service will be held on October 10 at 10:00 AM in the Cathedral Hall at Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128.  The family will receive friends and visitors between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

The service will be followed by a luncheon in the Pub at Cathedral Village, followed by internment in Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.  

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330
www.msrfh.com