Dolores A. Knopf

Dolores “Dee” Anna (Dranginis) Knopf of Kensington, beloved wife of the late Harvey R. Knopf, entered into eternal life on Dec. 27, 2022.

Born in Wilkes-Barre, PA, daughter of the late John and Anna (O’Krongley) Dranginis, she grew up and attended schools in New Britain.   She was a 1961 graduate of New Britain High School, and the Hartford Modern PBX and Receptionist School of Business.

God, church and family were most important to her.  She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Meriden, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and Reader.  She was a member of the choir, and, in the past, was a vocal and instrumental soloist, singing for weddings and other occasions.

Dee was a member of the Berlin VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Post 10732 where she served as chaplain, and the Berlin Senior Center, where she volunteered as a bingo caller.  Dee was employed by the Berlin Board of Education as a paraprofessional at the Berlin High School, in special education.  Dee was a devoted wife, mother, and grandma.  She lovingly cared for her granddaughters, who were the lights of her life.  Her favorite name, after “mom”, was “grandma”.  She loved her family with a passion, and was always there for them.  She loved writing poetry, and a collection of her poems is copyrighted.   Dee loved times with family, helping others, golf, fishing, reading, lunch with friends, Bingo, UCONN Women’s Basketball, Red Sox, and the New England Patriots.

Dee is survived by and will be missed by her son, Timothy Knopf; granddaughters, Cassandra and Melinda Knopf; sisters-in-law Donna Lee Dranginis of Sedona, AZ and Barbara Bendzinski of Newington; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Besides her parents and husband, Dee was predeceased by brothers John and Edmund Dranginis; sisters-in-law Leah Dranginis and Irene Knopf; brother-in-law, Richard Knopf; and mother-in-law, Lydia Knopf.

Honoring her wishes, there will be no calling hours.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 10 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, Meriden.  Burial will follow at Maple Cemetery, Berlin.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 520 Paddock Ave., Meriden, CT  06450; the Berlin Senior Center, 33 Colonial Dr., Berlin, CT  06037; or Foodshare.  Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.