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OBITUARY
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OBITUARY |
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Eleanor "Elle" Anna KnaussFebruary 7, 1941 - March 17, 2008
Elle Knauss, 67, of Friday Harbor died on Monday, March 17, 2008 at her home on Friday Harbor. She was born and raised in San Francisco by German immigrants, Mary (Bangewitz) and Adolf Knauss. Elle's first design award came at age 12 when she entered a Betty Crocker magazine contest. The challengers were asked to create an elegant table setting for which Elle was honored on television with the Betty Crocker Best Design Award. Throughout her years at Mercy High School and Business studies at San Francisco Junior College there was always a project in the making and re-making until it was perfect in Elle's eye. In 1960 Elle became an executive secretary for Bethlehem Steel. In 1967 she traveled to the east coast and was hired as a tech writer for the engineering department for a renowned government military contractor. She saved every dollar that wasn't spent on fashion for the challenge and long time dream of a four-year college education. Her vision was realized in 1975 when she graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design and Space Planning. Elle continued to live her passion as she was accepted in the American Society of Interior Designers, (A.S.I.D.) and began her own business in the Bay Area. Her credentials include National Consul of Interior Design Qualification, (N.C.I.D.Q.) and Certificate of Interior Design for the State of California (C.I.D.). In 1982 she contracted with Interiors Technologies, an architectural firm in Silicone Valley, and later became Director of Design and Space Planning on the West Coast for Kelly Business Furniture, a distributor of open office systems. In 1990 she became the administrative assistant to the city clerk and the city attorney's office for the City of Sunnyvale, Californi. Elle married Bob Callegari in 1987 at the Archbishop's Mansion in San Francisco, and the following year the couple purchased an extraordinary property in Friday Harbor. While they would not break ground for another seven years, Elle quickly embraced the design process for what would become her most beloved project- her home and art studio. In 1995 Elle retired. She and Bob moved to Friday Harbor, and set in motion a lifestyle to rival her formal working years: she co-managed a real estate portfolio, began a formal study of Fine Art (winning several awards for her contemporary works), developed a line of greeting cards, and while enjoying a summer abroad studied Italian culinary arts. Elle shared herself and her talents freely with all who knew her. She was elegant and stylish; a loyal and loving friend whose smile welcomed everyone she met. Elle is survived by her loving husband, Robert A. Callegari; sister, Loraine Weston; niece, Shelly Theodore; nephew, Sean Weston; and step-sons, Michael and John Callegari. The family would like to give special thanks to Rosalie Levee, RN, the San Juan EMS team, Skagit Valley Hospice and the excellent caregivers whose love and dedication made Elle's life more comfortable during her last weeks. A memorial mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008 at St. Francis Catholic Church at Friday Harbor, with Father Raymond Heffernan and Father Robert Evenson officiating. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc. Anacortes. To share memories of Elle, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com. |
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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