In Memoriam: Carol Knauss

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - Former longtime Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference (BLWC) coordinator Carol Knauss died on May 18, 2018. Carol was hired by the College in 1975 as a secretary for the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She became a coordinator for the conference and served in that role for the remainder of her career at Middlebury until she retired from the College in 2001.

“An image of Carol remains in my mind from ’96 and ’97, the only years I attended during her tenure. On the last Sunday of the conference, the temperature reminded us, as Carol so often did, that autumn comes early to Vermont. From the earliest departure on, Carol stood in front of the Inn on those frosty mornings, waving goodbye as each van, packed with weary, prematurely nostalgic but newly inspired Bread Loafers, pulled away from the curb.”

Carol was also known for her love of classical music, good Scotch, her dog Hollie, good literature, and traveling to England. Christmas was her favorite time of year.

She is survived by her two children, David Knauss of Bridport and Martha Orvis and her husband Randy of Shoreham; and her two grandchildren, Patrick John Knauss of Morrisville, Vt., and William Christopher Mitchell-Knauss of Rutland. She was predeceased by her parents.

The family would like to thank the staff at Addison County Home Health & Hospice for the great care they provided to Carol. A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Vergennes on Friday, June 15, at 11 a.m. Following the burial at the Bridport Cemetery, Carol’s family invites friends and colleagues to join them at the Bridport Masonic Hall nearby.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Humane Society, at 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. Online condolences are accepted at sandersonfuneralservice.com.