Anne "Nancy" Verret Kneen

June 6, 1936 – August 12, 2025

Anne "Nancy" Verret Kneen lived in Belvidere, VT from 1973 to 2025. She died after a brief illness at UVM Medical Center surrounded by her loving family members. A beautiful memorial mass was held at St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Montgomery, VT, on Monday, August 18 for members of her extended family.

She is survived by her husband of over 71 years, Lieutenant Colonel (USAF, retired) John Kneen (Belvidere, VT); sister Lt Col (USAF, retired) Lucienne Verret Miller (Nashville, TN); sisters-in-law Carolyn Verret (St Paul, MN), Ann K. Twohig (Biddeford, ME), and TerriSue Thibodeau and husband Brian (E. Hartford, CT), brother-in-law William Kneen and wife Therèse (Richmond, VT); daughters Deborah Cuesta and husband Lt Col (USAF, retired) Felipe Cuesta (Brandon, FL), Colonel (USAF, retired) Linda Palmer and husband Major (USAF, retired) James Wallace (Meridianville, AL), Suzanne Smith and husband Michael Smith (Parker, CO), and Specialist (E4) US Army (honorable discharge) Rose Clements (Franklin, VT); sons John Kneen II and wife Debra Lawrence Kneen (Grand Isle, VT) and Lawrence Kneen III and wife Tina Christensen Kneen (Belvidere, VT); 22 nieces and nephews; and over 17 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Nancy was predeceased by parents, Omer and Marie Verret, sisters Sarah "Sally" Kalinoski and Jane Roberts, brothers Alex Verret and Paul Verret, and in-laws Lawrence Kneen I and wife Hazel Melbourne Kneen, Elizabeth and husband Donald Huard, brother-in-law Lawrence Kneen II (deceased during early childhood), and Mary Kneen Lynch.

Nancy graduated from Cathedral HS in Burlington, VT. She attended Trinity College in Burlington, VT until she married John at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington VT on July 15, 1954, beginning their Air Force adventures in Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, and Massachusetts – not counting John's deployments to Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand, and trips to other places around the world. She was a spectacular officer's wife and mother of six children. Nancy was a talented linguist and musician and gladly donated her time as an organist at St. Isidore's as well as at other churches she attended throughout her life.

John and Nancy settled in Belvidere, VT in 1973, where they built the house almost by themselves. Nancy continued as a "handyman" on other houses in the region, including the house behind Village Manor in Morrisville. She owned and operated the Village Manor in Morrisville from 1989, caring simultaneously for as many as 18 people for about 5 years. Nancy excelled in everything she took on. She was also a wonderful cook and baker. She taught her kids and grand-kids to sew and knit, make jelly, can tomatoes, and bake cakes and pies. She was an avid reader of nearly every genre of literature. She loved her flower garden. Always taking care of others, Nancy was a talented knitter for family, friends, and Socks for Soldiers. She will be missed by the numerous people she blessed throughout her life.