Barbara Knop

LIMA – Passed away peacefully September 14,2026 at age 102 in Allentown PA. Barbara Ann Gelder Knop was born on April 5, 1924, in Geneva, New York, the daughter of the late Clyde B. Gelder and Margaret Lerch Scott Gelder. She graduated from Penn Yan Academy in Penn Yan, NY in 1941 where she played clarinet in the award-winning band. Her studies at Cornell University in Ithica, NY were halted due to World War II. Barbara was married for 52 years to her college sweetheart, Frank H. Knop. During his wartime work on the family farm and career at the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, NY, they lived in Lima in an historical cobblestone house on the old Iroquois Indian Trail (Routes 5&20) where they raised their family of four children.

Barbara was a member of the Ska-hase-ga-o chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for 72 years, an ancestor of John Lester, Revolutionary War hero. She was also a member of local clubs: Queare Club – from the Latin quaerere, meaning to seek or inquire – which was devoted to self-improvement and knowledge, a community group called “Buttonhole” where members gathered to do hand sewing projects and catch up on current events and the Lima Historical Society. She was also interested in weaving and took several courses through the Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, producing many woven projects on her various looms.

Barbara was preceded in death by her twin sister, Shirley Ann Gelder Covert (Arthur); her husband, Frank Henry Knop; her daughter Deborah Ann Knop, and her son Timothy James Knop.

She is survived by her daughter Susan H. Knop Gobien (Jurgen) and son John Henry Knop (Kathleen Finnerty Knop); her niece Elizabeth Covert Douglas (The Rev. Jeffrey Douglas); her niece Stephanie Covert Durham; nephew, Peter Covert (Connie); grandchildren Andrew Gobien (Diana Jamerson Gobien), Steven Gobien (Ingegerd Pinillos Gobien), Amy Collins Carter (Dan Carter), David T. Knop (Alisa), Alexander Knop (Becky), Sarah Knop and Eric Knop, and 12 great grandchildren and many great and great-great nieces and nephews!!

Barbara was an active member of several churches over her 102 years: Bellona Methodist Church, where she was married, Lima Presbyterian Church, The Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in East Avon, NY, and Pinnacle Lutheran Church in Rochester NY. Some of her last words were, “Be good to each other.”

Services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Private interment Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lima. Please remember the Knop family in your prayers, giving thanks for the life of God’s faithful servant and looking ahead with them to the resurrection that is ours through our risen Savior Jesus Christ.

Cards and expressions of sympathy may be sent to: The Knop Family, 2243 W Union St., Allentown, PA 18104

The family has requested that memorials be designated for: The Lima Historical Society, PO Box 532, Lima, NY 14485 in her memory.