60-year Menlo Park resident Valerie Marie Knapp dies at 82

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Valerie Marie Knapp, who lived in Menlo Park for 60 years, died May 30 at her daughter’s home in Hawaii, surrounded by her family, at age 82.

Valerie was born and raised in Glen Falls, New York, in 1934 to parents Leon and Thurza McKinney. She attended St. Mary’s College, where she majored in English.

She married her childhood next-door neighbor, Matteo Sassone, in 1956. Two years later, they drove across the U.S. with 1-year-old twins to settle in Menlo Park.

They had two other children there. In 1966, Mr. Sassone died of stomach cancer. During that time, Valerie continued to raise her four children with help from her parents, who lived next door.

Valerie married George P. Knapp in 1970.

Valerie loved cats, the outdoors, local politics and spending time with family and friends, her family says. She loved gathering people around the dining room table to share holiday meals, laugh and tell stories, her family says, and went on memorable summer camping trips with her children and nieces. She was close with her neighbors on Mills Avenue, where she lived for 60 years, and was very active with the St. Denis Catholic Church, participating in the Catholic Women’s Guild and volunteering at the church. She also served as president of the Las Lomitas School District Parent Teacher Association.

For several years, she and Mr. Knapp traveled the world on cruises with their square dancing club.

She is preceded in death by her first husband of 10 years, Matt C. Sassone; her parents and her adopted brother Steven McKinney. She is survived by her second husband of 47 years, George P. Knapp; her brother and sister-in-law; her children Paul (Yvonne) Sassone, Steve (Lea) Sassone, Mark (Yukiko) Sassone, and Maria (Robert “Joe”) LaMadrid; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A celebration of Valerie’s life will be held in Menlo Park at a later date.

Condolences may be sent to the family C/O Maria LaMadrid, 5918 Uilani Place, Kapaa, HI 96746.

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Go to the Almanac’s Lasting Memories page for Valerie’s full obituary and to leave remembrances.