Constance Louise Knoll

Constance Louise Knoll (Stretch) passed away on October 13th, 2024 in Santa Cruz, CA after a 6 year battle with probable Lewy Body Disease. Connie was born on October 2nd, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to Santa Cruz California with her family when she was 10 years old.

She attended Gault Elementary School, Branciforte Jr. High School, and Santa Cruz High School (Class of 1953). She attended Monterey Peninsula College.

In High School she worked at the Ship Ahoy Restaurant (now The Ideal) as a Salad Girl where she met the love of her life John Daniel Knoll (Dan), who was working as a Dishwasher. At the insistence of her Uncle Leonard LaFrance (who was the Chef), Dan asked Connie if he could take her to her Senior Prom : She said yes. .They were married on October 27th 1956.Connie also worked at Leask's Department store, and Bank of America Downtown. She loved to tell the story of Alfred Hitchcock coming into the bank ( he had an account under an assumed name) Connie knew it was him and asked " Are you really Alfred Hitchcock?" to which he replied "Oh, No" and gave her a sly wink. She worked there as a Teller and Check machine operator till she was noticeably pregnant with her son Danny: they did not want her to quit. Connie was a wiz at business math..... Connie became a mother for the second time with the arrival of Rebecca Louise Knoll (Becky) in 1972.

Connie was the life of the party. She could light up a room with just her smile. Connie loved to socialize and meet new people. She would go to the grocery store for just a loaf of bread and come home three hours later because she was busy talking to everyone in the store.

Her family was the most important thing to her. Besides spending time with family and friends her passion was to be out in the yard gardening and planting her vegetables.

Her favorite time of year was the Holiday Season. Every Christmas Eve She would host a party where she and sister Phyllis would enjoy their Brandy Alexanders: usually a lively game of Pictionary would be involved.

Connie, along with her family, were charter members of the Santa Cruz County Water Ski Club: Though not a huge water skier she prided herself with her "Once a year" Ski where we would unmercifully tease her in her rubber swim cap and shorty wetsuit and call her " The Sea Hag" which she always laughed at and took in stride. Many good times were spent at Pinto Lake in Watsonville and Clear Lake, CA. at the Green Anchor Resort north of Lakeport.

Connie played Volleyball at the Santa Cruz YWCA and worked in the YWCA resale shop and brought many an interesting treasure home: She loved a good find, the occasional trip to the Flea Market and good antique shop. Her final Career was working at Ebert's dress shop, working up until the time they closed for good.

She prided herself with her English Heritage and kept a fine Royal Family Collection. She loved a good strong cup of Black tea with sugar and milk, none of that "Witches piddle" as she would say.

She dabbled in Painting and could have been quite the artist had she decided to be. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother in Cub Scout Pack 682 from Natural Bridges Elementary.

She is survived by her husband of almost 68 years John Daniel Knoll, her son John Daniel Knoll Jr , Her daughter Rebecca Louise Knoll, Daughter in law Jenelyn Knoll, her Grandson Wyatt James Knoll (all of Santa Cruz), her sister Phyllis Latham of San Jose and numerous Cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in Death by her Father Joseph Stretch, Mother Eileen Stretch, Sister Nancy Barton , and Brother Edward Stretch.

In lieu of flowers, Donations in Connie's name can be made to Alzheimer or Lewy Body research.