Mary Knox

Mary Margaret (Marge) Phister Knox passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 24th, 2016, surrounded by her large and loving family.  She lived a full and active life for 89 years.  
     A lifelong Erie resident, Marge was born on May 9, 1926 to Carl R. and Margaret Schriefer Phister. She attended Villa Maria Academy and Mercyhurst College.  She was married to Robert E. (Big Bob) Knox for 65 years and was a devoted mother to six daughters.  
     Marge was the matriarch of her family and the ring-leader for her many close friends.  She was witty, intelligent, organized and always in charge. She hosted countless events, including trips with friends, six fabulous garden weddings and huge annual Christmas parties.  She was Roman Catholic and a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church.  She was a lifetime member of the Kahkwa Club and the Erie Yacht Club.  She was an avid golfer and tennis player, and was founder of a ladies duck pin bowling league at the Maennerchor.  Marge and Big Bob piloted their boat “Big Boy” across the Great Lakes, to Florida and back, and for over 30 years wintered on Florida’s Sanibel & Captiva Islands.  Marge was a stylish dresser to the end, and - in her own words -  “was cute when it counted!”
     Marge was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Carl R. Phister, son-in-law John Openlander and her grandson Michael McCain.  She is survived by her husband and six daughters, Kate Knox Openlander, Chris Knox Sechrist and her husband Dave of Erie, Patty Knox Moody and her husband Ben of Miami Beach FL, Carrie Knox of Erie, Julie Knox McCain and her husband Scott of Erie, Amy Knox Arrowsmith and her husband Scott of Erie; by her thirteen grandchildren and one great-grandson: Emily Openlander Kern and her husband Adam and son Jackson of Portsmouth NH, Bob Openlander and his wife Lauren of Erie, Patrick Sechrist of Erie, Bryan and Sean Sechrist of Chicago IL, Sarah Moody of Miami Beach FL, Claire Moody of Erie, Kelly McCain of Chicago IL, Shannon McCain of New York NY, John McCain of Erie, and Andrew, Alex and Ellie Arrowsmith of Erie.  She is also survived by her niece Marilyn Phister of Philadelphia PA.  
     Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th and Liberty St. on Monday, March 28th from 3 -7 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass Tuesday, March 29th, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
    Marge’s family would like to thank her personal caregivers. Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation at donate.arthritis.com. or PO Box 96280, Washington, D.C.20077.