OBITUARY OF JUDY SELBERT KNAPP

‘Kill them with Kindness.’

‘Leave everything better than you found it.’

‘Don’t date until your 27.’

Just a few of the many words of wisdom Judith Seibert Knapp shared during her full and beautiful life that ended peacefully on February 15, 2020, in the arms of her loving husband and surrounded by her six children.

She was born in Evansville, Indiana on June 6, 1942, to her parents James and Angelina (Datillo) Seibert. She and her siblings, Toni Flamion of Newburgh, Angela Gioe of Martinsville, and the late James Seibert of Newburgh, grew up in St. Ben’s parish.
A proud 1960 graduate of Mater Dei High School, she served as the school’s clerk during her senior year and its biggest fan for the rest of her life. Her Mater Dei friends, of every generation, meant the world to her.

The most special of her Mater Dei relationships became her lifelong love and best friend, Edward Knapp, who she married in June 1966. They have been parishioners at St. Philip Church since 1967, and have welcomed hundreds to the home they lovingly restored in that community. Not only a beacon of beauty at Christmas, but this home she created together with Ed was also always open for friends of all ages to share a laugh and hugs.

Together, with their dear friends, Judy and Ed traveled the world as the most patriotic Americans and created the most magical of worlds right here in Evansville for their six children.

Her heart and energy were always poured into the lives of her children: Eddie (Jackie) of Evansville; Miranda (Jody) Graham of Inlet Beach, FL; Alex (Andrew) Rodman of Indianapolis; Michael (Katie) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Anthea (Shane) Turner of Seagrove Beach, FL; and David (Jaimie) of Murfreesboro, TN.

She loved all of her children’s friends like her own and loved, even more, the beautiful friendships that blossomed from the relationships with their families.

With her amazing example of raising children, her six children have blessed her with 20 grandchildren. Endless dancing, homemade candy, seashell walks, front-yard football games and plenty of hugs are just a few of the ways she was easily the best Mamaw/Juju for Austin (MaKayla) and Hayden Knapp, Remy and Millie Graham; Charlie, Adley and Gus Rodman; Abe, Carver, Daniel, Daisy, Adelaide, and Grace Knapp; Bella and Seby Turner; and Kayla, Josh, Liam, Grayland, and Marlee Knapp.

Her tombstone is simply engraved with “For God, Country, Family, and Mater Dei.” Always wearing her signature red and gold, she dedicated her life to making sure everyone at Mater Dei had the most amazing experience by encouraging them to get involved and by being their biggest fan at every event. She also always made sure her 1960 classmates knew how much they were loved and needed for every class reunion. To continue her Mater Dei spirit, and in lieu of flowers, please share a gift in her memory to support Mater Dei’s Knapp Seibert Fund, 1300 Harmony Way, Evansville, IN 47720. www.materdeiwildcats.com

Visitation at Pierre Funeral Home is from 2 – 8 p.m. on Monday, February 17. A Celebration Mass in honor of a life lived to the fullest will be held at 11 a.m. at St. Philip Church.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. in the church.

Judy and her family were so grateful for the love and support they have received, especially in these last few weeks and months. She wanted everyone, who has been touched by her life, to always remember ‘Be bold, be kind, live hard, have fun, dance often.’