Mary Ellen Knecht led a life full of love and was a warrior for Christ. She passed away peacefully on August 9, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Mary Ellen was born on November 16, 1935, in the Bronx, New York, to Mary Elizabeth and John Joseph McGuinness. She graduated from St. Barnabas High School in New York and attended secretarial school. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Philip Joseph Knecht. Mary Ellen and Philip grew up in the Woodlawn neighborhood in the Bronx and were married in St. Barnabas Church on February 2, 1963. Mary Ellen maintained the home and raised their two children while Philip provided for the family. They were longtime members of St. Joseph's Church in Bronxville, New York. After suffering a stroke in 2001, Mary Ellen relocated to Grapevine, Texas, to be near her daughter and resided at the Atria Senior Living Community. While Mary Ellen was confined to a wheelchair, her spirit never faltered: she was often referred to as the "Mayor" of Atria and received the "Mayor of Atria Award" in her later years. Mary Ellen loved eating chocolate cake, d...[more]

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king Dr. Pepper, and smoking a cigarette or two; however, what gave her the most joy in her life were her four grandchildren, whom she doted on and was forever generous and encouraging. She always was focused on their happiness and set a shining example for how to be a loving human being. Mrs. Knecht is survived by her daughter Cecilia (Mark Winters) and son Philip J. Knecht Jr.(Sarah); grandsons,John Joseph ("Jack") Winters, Joseph Henry Knecht, Philip Xavier Knecht and granddaughter, Catherine Rose Knecht. She is also survived by her sister Jo Anne McGuinness Bach. Services: A rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a mass of christian burial following at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2020, St. Francis of Assisi, 861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, TX 76051. Memorial contributions can be made to Catholic Charities USA.