SKOWHEGAN – Roberta Snell Knowles passed away peacefully at Redington Memorial Home Sunday Oct. 15, 2023. She was born in Skowhegan to Robert and Alberta Snell who lived in Oquossoc at the time. Later they moved to Madison and then to Fairfield where Roberta graduated from Lawrence High School in 1948.

Roberta graduated from Farmington State Teachers College in 1952 and began her teaching career in Skowhegan. She married Royce Knowles of Bingham in 1953. She taught for five years at Park School. The next ten years were spent at home taking care of their children, tutoring and teaching adult education. She returned to teaching and taught for twenty years at Skowhegan Area Junior High.

When Roberta retired she served as Curator of Skowhegan History House.

Roberta was a member of the Skowhegan Teachers Association, Maine Teachers Association, National Education Association and Somerset Education Association Retired and Xi Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma International.

Roberta was active in many community groups. She was a member of the Skowhegan Area Community Chorus and played in the Community Band. She was a former President of Semper Fidelis Club and a member of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 16. She participated in the annual Memorial Day Parade. She was honored to deliver the Gettysburg Address.

Roberta was a dedicated member of Skowhegan Federated Church for more than 60 years, serving in many capacities. She was very proud of singing in the choir for 53 years and directing three groups of handbell ringers. They brought her much joy.

Roberta and Royce were partners and best friends in everything they did. She felt blessed to have had a wonderful life with a loving husband and family and her true friends who were family of the heart. She welcomed everyone in to her home and the door was always open to anyone who needed her.

She was predeceased by her son David, granddaughter Desiree, her baby great grandson Gage and her beloved husband Royce who was her rock for 59 years.

She is survived by her son Robert of Skowhegan, Carol and husband Alex Bialy of St. Remy, New York, grandchildren, Derek Knowles, Nicole Ledger, Nena Knowles, Robert Knowles II, Logan Hurlbutt, Jesse Strout and Danica Strout, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews some who may as well have been daughters like Connie Arsenault and Bunnie Fistick and Paul Bubier to whom she was “Ma”.

The family is so grateful to everyone at Redington Memorial Home. You welcomed her so warmly and became family. You are a blessing. Thank you.

Many thanks also to Hospice for providing skilled and caring support in her final days.

A memorial service will take place at Skowhegan Federated Church on Nov. 4, 2023, at 1 p.m. There will be no visiting hours.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.SmartandEdwardsFH.com for the Knowles family.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to Skowhegan Federated Church

PO Box 504

 Skowhegan, ME 04976

or to

Over the River Ringers

c/o Gail Kelly

1416 Beckwith Rd

Cornville, ME 04976.

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