Juanita Knoop

JUANITA ROSE (EGAN) KNOOP

Juanita Rose (Egan) Knoop, age 88, was born September 24, 1928, in the Price Hill area of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Following a stroke, she passed peacefully on April 15, 2017.  Her parents were Robert John Egan and Bernadetta Hackman Egan.  Her father worked as an electrician for B & O Railroad and her mother was a talented seamstress who worked in alterations at Pogue’s Department Store.  Her father was a gifted artist who earned extra money to support the family during the depression by painting commercial signs.  In her youth, her mother, Bernadetta, worked for the Wright Brothers sewing parachutes for the World War I aeronauts.  Juanita had one sister, Carolynn, who taught her to read by sharing the funny papers every day.  The girls attended St. Lawrence Elementary and Elizabeth Seton High School.

Juanita’s first job at age fifteen was developing photographs.  She and several of her classmates were picked up after school by a chauffeured limousine and driven to their part-time job.

Juanita’s favorite pastime was reading fictional novels.  She especially enjoyed the Louis L’Amour series of westerns because he wrote about what he lived.  As a child , she frequented the library.  She also enjoyed footraces with her classmates, swimming, and playing cops and robbers with her sister and the neighbors.  Another pastime she pursued was crocheting. She made several afgan blankets and teddy bears.  In her youth, she played the violin and always loved beautiful music.  One of her favorite TV shows was the Lawrence Welk Show.  When going to the movies, she always wanted a happy ending.  Anything else just wasn’t worth her money.

She loved and cared for our pets including dogs named Pokie, Sam, Junior, Ange, and Ike. Wiskers the cat was also part of the family.

Juanita graduated from Deaconess School of Nursing.  She retained two close friends from her school days, Millie Ratliff, and Martha Stevenson Rupp, better known as Stevie.  Stevie and Harold Rupp introduced Juanita and Norman Knoop on a blind date.  They married October fourth, 1949, and after a couple of years , they made their home in Mason, Ohio.

Juanita pursued her nursing career first at Maple Knoll Home for unwed mothers and then as assistant head nurse of 4 East postpartum floor at University Hospital and finally in newborn intensive care.  She retained several friends from her 28 years at UC Hospital including Mrs. Francis Speath, Mrs. Woeste, Mrs. Moses, and Mrs. Anderson.

Norman and Juanita had three daughters:  Laura Rochelle Knoop “Shelly”, Susan Marie Mills, and Barbara Ann D’Onofrio.  Juanita was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  Spending time with family was her greatest joy.

Juanita was a member of Mason Methodist Church and attended the seniors Monday lunch bunch.

For many years, Juanita counted the staff and other clients at Rosie’s Beauty Salon on Church Street as friends.  More recently, for their kindness, the family would like to extend a special thanks to her friends at Uniquely You Hair Salon in Mason.

Juanita was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Bernadetta Egan, her husband Norman Knoop, and her daughter Barbara Ann D’Onofrio.

She is survived by her daughters Laura Rochelle Knoop and Susan Marie Mills and spouse Robert Mills.  Her son-in-law John D’Onofrio and spouse Lucinda remain close.  Her grandchildren are: Isaac Nathan Mills and spouse Jennifer, Tirzah Ya’el Glebes and spouse CPT Robin Joseph Glebes, James Robert D’Onofrio and spouse Alesha, Domenic John D’Onofrio, and Jeremiah Scott Knoop.  Her great-grandchildren are: Abigail, Naomi, and Chloe.

Juanita is survived by her sister Carolyn Spille and her husband Joseph.  She is also survived by one sister-in-law, Wilma Knoop.  Her family circle includes many nieces, nephews, their spouses , and children.

Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be given to:

Toward Independence, Manny House, 11220 Pippin Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio  45231.

Mason Methodist Church, Food Pantry or Domestic Violence Funds, 6315 Mason Montgomery Rd. Mason Ohio 45040.