Mary Carolyn Knott

Sadly, our beloved Mary Carolyn Knott passed away suddenly at a local hospital on June 17, 2009. She was born in Glenwood Springs, Colorado to Isaiah Knott and Marguerite Louise Houck Knott, who preceded her in death. She attended schools in Colorado and then completed the requirements for a B.A. in Speech Therapy from Colorado State College in Greeley. In 1970, she received her M.A. in Speech Pathology from New Mexico State University and her C.C.C. from the American Speech and Hearing Association that same year. She began her long, illustrious career in Gallup, New Mexico from 1963-1969 where she provided services on the Indian Reservation to needy, underserved populations. In 1970, she started the Speech Pathology Clinic at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and was responsible for establishing an acclaimed, exemplary program for the wounded soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. She served as Chief of Speech Pathology for over 30 years and touched countless lives within the military community. During her extensive service career at WBAMC, she also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at El Paso in the Speech and Language Division. She trained, supervised and mentored hundreds of interns who, in turn, have become strong leaders in the field of speech pathology. An active community leader, Mary participated in numerous local and national organizations. National Issues Forum, American Business Women’s Association, El Paso Speech and Hearing Association, Retired Federal Employees, Leadership El Paso and El Paso Commission for Women to name a few. Among her many honors, Mary was recognized as one of NMSU’s Top 100 graduates and as one of the Top 10 Businesswomen of the Year in the country by the American Business Women’s Association in 1974. She earned Army Medals for Achievement and Meritorious Civilian Service. Mary was an advocate for persons with disabilities and served on the Board of Directors on the West Texas Association for the Handicapped and served for three separate terms on the Texas Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council. Despite the many physical challenges Mary faced as a result of polio she contracted as a child, she never let her physical limitations keep her from accomplishing her goals and achieving her dreams. She was independent, intelligent, witty, compassionate and funny. She had a quick mind, a keen sense of humor and a generous heart. Mary’s friends and former students knew her as a knowledgeable, compassionate person whose infectious laugh and sparkly blue eyes could light up a room. She was a loyal friend who fiercely supported her beliefs and would always follow through on any commitment she made. She loved her friends and loved people. She was quick to assume the role of social organizer and was the glue that held us together; she was always ready for a party. Mary is survived by her longtime companion, Alfredo Neria, of El Paso, her brother, Isaiah Howard Knott, her sister-in-law, Judy Knott, Kelly Belcher, Greg and Mark Knott, Dustin and Samantha Belcher, Kendall and Cooper Knott, Jeanne Albert and Richard Bryan all from Colorado. She also leaves behind an army of friends, neighbors, colleagues, patients and their families who mourn her passing and experience the ache left by her loss. Memorial Service will be on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Homes-West, 480 N. Resler, El Paso, TX 79912. Friends will have the opportunity to share memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West. Please visit our online register book at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.