Remembering Irvington’s Ibbets Knapp

After a full and beautiful life, “Ibbets” Knapp, a long time resident of Irvington-on-Hudson, died peacefully on May 11, 2010 at Kendal-on-Hudson in Sleepy Hollow, with loving family by her side. Ibbets was born on March 13, 1918, the only child of Earle Stanley and Marion (Weymouth) Glines. She graduated from the Scarborough School and in 1939 from Wellesley College.  After college she worked and modeled for Harper’s Bazaar magazine in New York City. In 1941 Ibbets married Richards Wolcott Knapp. After the war they returned to live in Irvington-on- Hudson and raised their two daughters.

Ibbets was always devoted to her community and volunteered for the Church of St. Barnabas, the Junior League of Tarrytown, Irvington Garden Club, and the Thursday Club. Ibbets was also a remarkable artist and her portraits and paintings are treasured by her family and numerous friends. Twenty of her paintings were exhibited at Kendal-on- Hudson in 2008. In addition, Ibbets was a talented writer and left her family with children’s books and family journals. With her best friend, Betty Shute, Ibbets shared summers in Maine and ballroom dancing in New York City. Ibbets was loved and admired for her gentle strength, her commitment to family and friends, and her graceful humor in coping with life’s challenges. The endless memories she created as a mother, grandmother, artist, writer and friend will sustain those who love her for the rest of their lives. Her family is grateful to Kendal-on-Hudson and Angels on Call for their extraordinary care of Ibbets.

Ibbets was predeceased by her parents, her father’s second wife Catherine (Stephenson) Glines, and the family friend Paco Smith of Barcelona, Spain. She is survived by her two daughters — Katharine Sherwood and her husband Tony of Southport, NC and Carolyn Cullins and her husband Tom of Burlington, VT; her three grandchildren — Duncan Sherwood and his wife Laura and son Connor of Fairfield, CT, Carter Sherwood and his wife Debbie of Stamford, CT, and Sarah Cullins of Bogota, Colombia. She is also survived by her two half-brothers — Stephen Glines and family of MA, James Glines and family of Nova Scotia, Canada and Victoria Glines MacNeil and family of Alberta, Canada.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Church of St. Barnabas. In lieu of flowers, one can contribute in Ibbets’ name to the Church of St. Barnabas, 15 North Broadway, Irvington-on-Hudson, NY 10533.

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