Patricia A. Knudsen

Patricia A. Knudsen
1931-2024

Patricia Ann Knudsen, beloved family matriarch, dedicated volunteer and career woman, and intrepid
world traveler, died peacefully at home in Gray, ME on May 27, 2024 at the age of 93.
Pat was truly a woman for the ages. Strong, independent, and resourceful. Beautiful, classy, and
statuesque. Handy with tools and home repairs, as well as an accomplished seamstress and knitter.
Born in 1931 in Grafton, West Virginia to Hubert “Shorty” and Eva (Colebank) Custer, Pat also spent
memorable childhood years in Maryland and Delaware. She graduated from Newark High School in
1948.
In 1963 she married David Knudsen who she met while working at Eastern Air Devices in Dover, NH.
Together, they raised two children and shared a remarkable 58 year partnership. They were the best of
team mates in life, house and boat projects, and supporting each other’s endeavors. Some of their
happiest years were spent living in Northfield, VT in the 1960’s and 70’s where David was a Professor of
Electrical Engineering at Norwich University and Pat was an active faculty wife and community
volunteer.
Pat’s long career as a certified travel agent enabled her to indulge in her love of travel. She worked
initially at McPherson Travel and Milne Travel in VT, then with Astro Travel in Solon, Ohio. In 1988 she
and David moved to Maine where she was Manager for the AAA office in South Portland for 22 years –
retiring at age 79. She travelled to every continent except Antarctica. Ever adventuresome well into her
senior years, she went zip lining in Costa Rica in her 60’s, rode a camel in Egypt in her 70’s, experienced
the thrill of a hot air balloon ride in Turkey in her 80’s and did two transatlantic cruises in her 90’s.
Her volunteer activities were every bit as meaningful to her, including Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout
Leader, community education program (in Northfield, VT), Norwich University Parents’ Association, Red
Cross Volunteer, Portland, ME’s Sunrise Rotary Club, and the Portland Headlight. She was honored as a
Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and a Red Cross 10 gallon blood donor.
To her friends and family she will forever be our hero, role model, inspiration, and “big boss.” Pat was
predeceased by her beloved husband David Knudsen (2021), sister Nancy Ebbert and niece Cynthia
Ebbert. She will be lovingly missed by her daughter Sherry Knudsen; son Fred Knudsen (wife Nicha);
grandsons Grant Knudsen (wife Shireen), Geoffrey Knudsen (wife Elise d’Amboise), and Ben Ziemke
(partner Clio Briggs); step-grandson Bim Rodruedee; great-grandsons Noah and Oliver Knudsen; and
dear friend Maxine Neal.
If you wish, contributions in memory of Pat may be made to Portland Sunrise Satellite Rotary Club, PO
Box 1755, Portland, ME 04102.

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