Nancy Frances Knapp of Portage, aged 81 years, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on the 12th day of September 2026.

Nancy came from humble beginnings. Growing up on a small farm in New Jersey, alongside her sister, Joan, she was the beloved daughter of Ann and Frank "Pop-Pop" Margerum. From an early age, Nancy developed a deep appreciation for nature and animals. She loved dogs and adored caring for horses, often riding her own horse “Butterscotch” through the idyllic countryside, along with family and friends.

During her school years Nancy began her life-long love of the arts through her involvement in theater clubs, as well as another passion, working on the Student Government Council. Nancy was extremely proud of her volunteer work on the successful presidential campaign for the election of former President John F. Kennedy in 1960. In college she would go on to become one of the first women permitted to attend accounting classes at Rider College, where she graduated with a degree in accounting.

In 1975 Nancy met and married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Knapp. From the start they were inseparable, doing everything together, side by side, hand in hand. Shortly after their marriage, Nancy and Bob chose to build their family through adoption, opening their hearts and home to four children whom they cherished, and loved as their own. Being a mother was one of Nancy’s greatest joys, and the family she and Bob created together remained tight-knit, and at the center of her world throughout her life.

While Nancy and Bob had planted their roots firmly on the East Coast, family life would see them carried from the rolling hills of New Jersey to the splendor of the Great Lakes of Michigan, where they planted new roots, and embarked on a new adventure. While they cherished their life in Michigan, their East Coast roots never stopped calling. Eventually Nancy and Bob made their way back home where together they joyfully fulfilled their dream of living near the ocean. In time, the winds of fate would have other plans, and Nancy would return to Michigan to live out the last days of her life surrounded by the enduring love and unshakable support of the strong family unit she had spent her life building.

Nancy found happiness in life’s simple pleasures: spending time in nature, tending her garden, petting the family dog, and watching the birds, especially her favorites: Baltimore Orioles and Hummingbirds. Nancy also took great pleasure in giving back to her community as she and her husband were both dedicated volunteer workers. Throughout their lives together they donated and selflessly volunteered countless hours of their time working with local charities, usually with a focus on helping the less fortunate, or caring for the environment. At the end of the day Nancy loved to have fun with friends and family, appreciated delicious home cooked meals along with a nice glass of wine, and always loved a good baseball game. Especially if her beloved Detroit Tigers were playing! As Nancy would often say: she always rooted for the underdogs.

In recent years, Nancy was extremely proud of her work at the Portage Community Center knowing that she was helping assist families in need and was a long-time faithful member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, where she would regularly attend masses, and contribute to charity drives.

Nancy's love and devotion to family and friends was only matched by her love and devotion to God. A devout Catholic, she found comfort and strength in the verse “Footprints in the Sand”, particularly its prescient reminder that during life’s most difficult moments, when we feel alone because only one set of footprints can be seen behind us, it is because God is carrying us.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Knapp; her son, Matthew Knapp; her sister Joan Maybury; and her parents, Frank and Ann Margerum.

Nancy is survived by her eldest son Anthony Knapp and his wife, Pamella; her daughter Heather Hall and her husband, Jerry; and her youngest son Christopher Knapp and his husband, Angelo; as well as her beloved dog Harry.

She will be deeply missed - but never forgotten - by her family, by her friends, and by all who were fortunate enough to know and love her. Nancy will be remembered for her unwavering love of family, her appreciation for the splendor of nature, her deep faith, her selflessness, and her ability to humbly enjoy all the good and simple things life has to offer.