Shirley L Knuckey's Obituary
Shirley L. Knuckey, 84, passed away in her sleep on October 7, 2018. Shirley was born on June 5, 1934, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania to Romayne Rosensteel and Fred Lydic. Shirley led a life full of love and laughter. She moved to St. Petersburg, FL with her family in the 1940s. She went to St. Petersburg High School where she met her future husband, Norman Knuckey. The high school sweethearts married in the 1950s and Norm went off to war in Germany. Shirley who was never afraid of hard work, helped oversee the building of their home in South St. Petersburg.
She began working at a 5 and Dime in St. Petersburg as a teenager and soon realized she had a knack for retail. She continued her retail career managing several different stores and dress shops including, Virginia Dare, Lerner’s, JC Penney’s and co-owned Sanders’ Shoes. She was known for her window displays, merchandising and ability to make a sale. She was relentless in her work ethic.
She married her second husband of 26 years, James Leo Sanders in 1972. Together they raised their son, Barry D. Sanders. Shirley loved when her step-daughter, Cherryl Hewett, would come to spend time and visit. Shirley and Leo devoted many volunteer hours to the band at Northside Christian School, where Leo worked and Barry attended school. Again, with retail in her blood, she helped start the Northside Thrift Store which is still open today. Shirley and Leo moved to Gainesville, FL in 1988, to have acreage and try their hand at gardening. The landscape that surrounded their house was beautiful and full of azaleas and blueberry bushes. They returned to the St. Petersburg area in the mid 90’s to be closer to their family.
Several years after Leo passed away, Shirley was reunited with her high school sweetheart, Norm, and they remarried in 2000. With the addition of Norm’s children, Tom Knuckey (wife Maia) and Patty Knuckey, Shirley’s family grew to include 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
Shirley was fearless in her ability to try new adventures or take on something that would require hard work. Some of her most difficult work was being the primary caregiver to her mother, Leo and Norm before their deaths, however she would not have wanted it any other way. She enjoyed having people over to her home and cooking for friends and family, and was teased on multiple occasions about the amount of food she would make for even a small number of people. She was asked many times “if she was expecting the Army to come for dinner”. Her home was spotless, and decorated for each holiday like it was a storefront. Above all, Shirley was kind. She would extend help to anyone in need.
Shirley leaves behind her son-Barry Sanders, step-son – Tom Knuckey and step-daughters, Cherryl Hewett and Patty Knuckey. Daughter in laws – Tracey Sanders and Maia Knuckey and Son in law – Fred Hewett. Grandchildren – Luke, Andrea, Christian, Zachary, Nathan, Matthew and Grace. Great grandchildren – Sophie, Adeline and Anne.
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