…Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:28 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Nancy Goings Knapp on June 4, 2025, at the age of 86.
Nancy G. Knapp, a beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and devoted member of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Lomita, passed away peacefully at home on June 4, 2025.
Born in Dallas, Texas, on December 16, 1938, Nancy moved to Los Angeles as a young child and grew up in East L.A. She graduated from Garfield High School, East L.A. College, and Cal State Los Angeles, later earning two master’s degrees in Education and Counseling. Nancy dedicated 38 years to teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District and was a tireless advocate for learning and service.
She met her husband, Owen Anthony Knapp (d. 2001), at church in Alhambra, and they married in 1964. Together, they raised a large and loving family. Nancy is survived by her children and their families: Samuel Knapp (son of Iris Knapp) and his wife Lisa, and their children, Benjamin and Abigail Knapp; Laura Knapp and her husband Fernando Alvarez, and their children, Olivia and Owen Alvarez Knapp; Eve Knapp and her husband Max Cabot, and their children, Mia and Ivy Cabot; Nancy Ellen Knapp; and Edward Knapp and his wife Jennifer Baker, and their children, Lily, Isabel, and Camillia Knapp.
She lovingly remembers the children from Owen’s earlier marriage to Sally: Peggy Bannerman, Toni van Knapp, Robert Knapp, and Katherine Burns (d. 2019).
She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Steven Rice (widower of her sister Minnie, d. 2024); her sister-in-law, Janet Knapp (widow of her brother-in-law John Knapp, d. 2018); her niece and nephew, Regan Knapp and John Scudder; and her grand-niece, Adele Scudder.
A devoted church elder, Bible study leader, and Director of Christian Education, Nancy touched countless lives through her faith, wisdom, and generosity. She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church in Lomita, followed by burial at 2:00 p.m. at Rose Hills Cemetery in Whittier. Flowers may be sent to St. Mark’s on Wednesday, June 25.