NORWICH – Winifred Knapp Merian, formerly of New City and Goshen, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 12, 2011, in Norwich.
Born in Warwick on March 27, 1914, Winifred was the daughter of Elizabeth Poppino (descendent of Revolutionary War Major John Poppino) and Wilbur Knapp. She graduated from the Goshen High School in 1932 and married Alfred L. Merian in Haverstraw in 1936. In 1979, Winifred retired from Grandway in Nanuet, and later, in 1991, retired from Barr Labs in New Jersey. She had a special passion for all animals, especially cats and dogs. She enjoyed going to flea markets, auctions, and craft shows, where she was always looking to add to her numerous collections.
Winifred is survived by her daughter, Gail Merian of Norwich; grandsons Jamie Merian of Piermont and Dana Merian of Chattanooga, Tenn.; her niece, Kathy Komesch of Ottowa, Canada; nephews Kurt Yatto of Sloatsburg and James N. and Wilbur Carr of Georgia; as well as her cousins, Alice Church and Ruth Ferguson of Blauvelt. She was predeceased by her son, Alfred “Jay” Merian, husband Allfred L. Merian, and sisters, Marion Carr and Anita Yatto.
Funeral services for Winifred will be held from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Douglas Horne, chaplain of Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, will officiate. Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4:30 and again from 6 to 7 p.m.
Graveside services will be held at noon Friday from the Wallkill Cemetery in Middletown. The Rev. Tobias Anderson will officiate.
Contributions in Winifred’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of CNY, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.