Laura Linn Knowles

Laura Linn Knowles, 52, died peacefully at her home in Florham Park, NJ, on May 12, 2015. She is the daughter of Terry and Marcia (Butler) Knowles, Topeka, KS, and sister of Julie Knowles, also Florham Park. During the past seven years, despite a malignant brain tumor, Laura continued a full and busy life with good spirits, anchored by her strong Christian faith, supportive family, and marvelous medical team.

Laura was born November 29, 1962, at USMC Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA, where her father was serving as an infantry officer with the U.S. Marine Corps. At one year of age, while he was on a 14-month Far East deployment, Laura and her mother lived with her maternal grandparents in Glasco, KS, and through years of many family moves, Glasco was Laura's lifelong anchor.

In 1991, Laura earned a Master of Accountancy, and was first employed 9 years with KPMG in Tulsa, OK, and Denver, CO. In 2000, she began a 15-year career with The Bank of New York Mellon in Dublin, Ireland, and then New York City, with whom she was employed at the time of her death. Laura and her sister Julie were blessed to live six years in Dublin together, where they enjoyed many trips throughout Europe and developed lasting friendships.

Laura enjoyed many diverse activities: travel, art, counted cross-stitch, concerts, opera, musicals, sporting events, tennis, snow skiing, and mountain hiking. She was a passionate fan of University of Kentucky basketball and Kansas State University football.

Laura is survived by her parents, Terry and Marcia Knowles; sister Julie Knowles; aunt Linda B. Fetters, Manhattan, KS; cousins Dave Fetters, Overland Park, KS, and Mike (Ann) Fetters and Julia, Wichita, KS; other relatives; and countless friends.

Services will be at 10 am, Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at First Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow at 4 pm at Glasco Cemetery, Glasco, Kansas. Laura will lie in state after 8 am on Tuesday, May 26, at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6 pm until 8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Helping Hands Humane Society, Glasco Community Foundation, or Brain Tumor Center of New Jersey, all in care of the funeral home, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.