Christine “Christy” Ann Stroup Knowles, age 59 of Mobile, AL, passed away on February 10, 2022. Christy grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, before attending Thiel College and relocating to Virginia with her family. Christy was a devoted mother to her son, Griffin, whom she raised in Virginia before relocating to Alabama with her dear husband, David Knowles.
Christy was a talented artist who enjoyed painting, music, hockey, cooking, antique shopping, and Mardi Gras, among many other interests. She was dedicated to her beloved pups over the years, Jack, Petey, Pebbles, Buddy the Beagle, Parker, and Lucy. Christy had a keen sense for interior design and was proud of her work restoring her recent historic homes. A nurturing and selfless person who always recognized the needs of others, Christy was a gracious hostess who enjoyed making others feel comfortable. In November 2021, Christy hosted the Excelsior Band for a social in the Creole Firehouse No. 1, where the band originated in 1883.
Christy was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Louise Stroup, her father Eugene Allen Stroup and her sister, Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Vaccaro. She is survived by her husband, David Knowles; her son, Griffin Semple; her brother, Jonathan (Jon) Stroup and his partner, Christopher Raffa; brother-in-law, Dennis Vaccaro; and niece, Nicole Vaccaro. Dear friends include Gloria Charlip, Debi Malcomson Rowen, and Ann Yerks Riege counted among many other friends in Midtown Mobile and the Washington DC area. Christy was a member of a local Mystic Society, where she had many close friends.
A celebration of Christy’s life will be held Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 1:00 PM in her honor at the Cedar Street Social Club at 4 N. Cedar Street, Mobile, AL. (Corner of Dauphin and Cedar St.) We graciously request all of Christy’s loved ones and friends join us in this celebration.
In lieu of flowers, Christy’s family has requested that you please consider a donation to the Animal Rescue Foundation in Mobile, a cause very near and dear to Christy. The donation link is here: https://www.animalrescuemobile.org/donate.html
Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com. Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.
I met Christy through her Husband David (Dave). She sure knew how to host a party and make complete strangers feel like they were old friends. . Very sweet lady with a great heart. Deepest condolences to her Son and one of my great friends Dave Knowles.
Words cannot express the way Cheryl and I felt about Christy. She was our rock. So giving and unselfish. Always helpful to others. She was a great cook but never accepted our accolades. She was a decorator extraordinaire. What great neighbors and we all landed here in Mobile from Northern Va.!
When I called a friend of ours that had not heard of Christy untimely passing she said., “how ironic…when Cheryl died Christy called to break the news and now you call to say that Christy passed . It’s just too much” We will all miss her terribly but as Becky said “she’s probably in heaven now asking Cheryl if she could mix her a vodka and tonic” RIP Christy…we all miss you.
It is so hard to believe that Christy is no longer just a phone call or a text away. Even though we didn’t see each other that often, especially over Covid, we could pick right back up as if time had been suspended. I always admired her intellect, her decorating acumen and most of all, her charm and hospitality. I will miss her very much as a friend. Gene and I offer our most sincere condolences to David and Griffin and other family and friends. Christy leaves a huge void. Still, I feel so happy and grateful to have known her.
I met Christy thru her husband David in Northern Virginia. I was privileged to enjoy her hospitality on several occasions. Whether it was a large party or small get together, Christy was in her element as host, chef and comedian. Such a great lady. My heart goes out to Griffin and David, and all who are feeling her loss.
When Christy and David bought the house across the street from us on West Street in the Flo Claire neighborhood of the Leinkauf Historic District, Richard and I were immediately impressed with her sweet disposition. It did not take long for us to realize how lucky we were to have such great neighbors. David could not move down right away, so for several months we got to know Christy very well, having her over to our house for chats on the porch, meals with neighbors, and other outings like Art Walk and Mardi Gras parades that helped her learn to love Mobile.
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Anyone who knew Christy knew her to be someone who was always willing to give a helping hand. When our Leinkauf Historic District Neighborhood Organization held its Holiday Party at the Pillars to raise funds for the Leinkauf Elementary School, Christy volunteered to head up the committee. Her organizational skills were equaled to her passion to help making the event not only very successful in raising funds, but ensuring a wonderful and memorable occasion for the entire neighborhood.
As the years passed, Christy’s talents in home decor and entertaining became well known in Flo Claire. In her capable hands, she took an already beautiful historic home and reimagined it to make it into a showplace. Her and David’s party’s were always a big hit with all who attended. It is not an exaggeration to say that Christy was always available to help a neighbor and was a great comfort when neighbors were ill. Her love and compassion for animals was equally evident as she cared for her and Davids’s wonderful pets.
Richard and I last saw Christy in her new home on December 11, at what else, but a fabulous holiday party. She and David had moved to the historic Creole Fire Station in August 2020. It was a hard move for Christy as she loved her beautiful home and neighborhood in Flo Claire. But on that night, as she gave Richard and myself a tour through the old fire station that had been transformed by her personal touch, she related how she had come to love her and David’s new home and was extremely happy.
We miss our friend, but always cherish the wonderful memories we have of Christy.
I’m so sorry to hear of her passing, David please except my deepest condolences, it was so wonderful knowing you all during the remodeling stages. I’ve been having some health issues as of late and I’m so sorry I can’t attend the memorial service today but God bless you brother and to the babies ( the pups)
I met Ms. Christy and her husband David through my former employer. I am saddened to learn of her passing. She was a wonderful person to know. I will be praying for Mr. Knowles and all so loved Christy.