On Tuesday, January 8; a sunny winter day Edna (Nancy) Knabbe departed thislife on earth to join her husband of 55 years Robert C. who predeceased her in 2005 and many relatives and friends; her 3 children were at her side as she began this journey. Nancy will be missed by all who loved knew her. Nancy was born October 24, 1928 to Elizabeth and John Jones of Chatham NY where she lived and attended Chatham Schools. She was one of thirteen children and was predeceased by sisters Caroline, Margaret, Mary, Dorothy, Florence, Ruth and Jeanette and brothers Peter, John (Jack), Thomas and Robert. Nancy is survived by one brother William and three children Susan (Thomas) Haug of Staatsburg, NY and their daughters Melissa Westover (Keith Crysler), Rebecca (Shaun) Sproul, twin great-grand-daughters Kyra and Sydney Sproul, Palm Coast, FL, & Caroline Holt, Poughkeepsie, NY; Robert (Joann) Knabbe Newburgh, NY and their daughters, Lauren NY, NY, Megan, Brooklyn, NY and Alison, Newburgh, NY; and Michael (Laura) Knabbe and his children Maureen (Nate) Monteiro and Morgun and Evan Knabbe all of New Beford, MA. Also, surviving are several nieces, nephews and their children. Nancy was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Robert C. in 2005. Nancy Knabbe was a tireless public servant and community activist. She was a charter member of the Ghent Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary serving as their 2nd president she was awarded the Nancy Alger award for volunteerism. She was a 60 + year member of the Ghent VFW Ladies Auxiliary serving over the years as president, secretary and treasurer. Knabbe worked for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Columbia County Department of Social Services for 25 years as a resource consultant and case management supervisor. A well-respected leader and volunteer in Columbia County, Knabbe served 25 years on the Chatham CSD Board of Education, from 1975 to 2000. This included seven years as board president and three years as vice president. In June 2012, Chatham CSD honored Knabbe at its annual Mary E. Dardess Elementary School Arbor Day celebration. Surrounded by family and friends, fourth grade students performed a play about Knabbe's life, from her time growing up in Chatham and attending school when there was only one building to her 25 years as a Chatham board member and most recently, her work as a BOCES board member. Nancy was instrumental in starting the Alumni Association for Chatham Central which now boasts over 3,600 members and was very involved in the origin of the Chatham High School Hall of Fame, for which she received honorary recognition in 2010. A BOCES board member since 1996, Knabbe was reelected by component school boards in April 2012 for a three-year term. She served on the organization's strategic planning committee and participated in many of the workshops provided for local school board members. In 2010, Knabbe received Questar III's highest honor, the G. Lucius Cary Annual Service Leadership Award. The award, a tribute to former Board Member G. Lucius Cary, was presented in recognition of Knabbe's outstanding leadership and contributions through volunteer service. She was also an active member of the Columbia County School Board Association for 25 years, including six years as president of the organization. She previously served on the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Rural School Committee, BOCES Ad Hoc Committee and the Distinguished Service Committee. Nancy also served on the Columbia County ARC Board of Directors and volunteered for the Columbia County United Way Board of Directors. Calling hours will be Sunday, January 13 from 2-8 pm at St. James Church in Chatham, NY, where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am Monday, January 14th. Funeral arrangements are under direction of French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home Chatham NY. For directions or to send an online condolence visit, www.frenchblasl.com. In lieu of flowers and at the family's request donations can be made payable to the Nancy Knabbe Scholarship Fund and mailed to, Chatham Central School District, attention Lauren Phillips, 50 Woodbridge Avenue, Chatham, New York 12037. This fund was set up on the occasion of her 80th birthday several years ago and is given to a deserving Chatham High Graduate.