->AUGUSTA -- Mary A. (Pickwick) Knapp, 98, of 310 Cony Road, formerly of Bristol Mills, died Jan. 30, 2009, at the Maine Veterans' Home, Augusta.She was born in Putnam, Conn., on May 25, 1910, the daughter of Fred Pickwick and Belle (Curtis) Pickwick. She attended schools in Manchester, N.H., and graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1933 with a bachelor's degree in home economics.She spent most of her life as a wife, mother and homemaker, in Haworth, N.J. In 1970, she retired to Bristol Mills with her husband, Leonard.She loved to knit (she belonged to a group of ladies called the "Knitwits") and sew quilts (with the ladies in Bristol Mills), as well as cooking and bird watching.Mary was known for her laughter, sense of humor and love of life. She was always interested in the community around her, sharing stories and laughter with acquaintances, friends and family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gave her many moments of joy.Toward the last years of her life, she lived with her daughter, Mary-Belle and her son-in-law, Walter, in Augusta. When she needed end-of-life care, she lived at Hodgkin Green in Damariscotta and then moved back to Augusta and resided at the Maine Veterans' Home in Augusta until her death.Mary was predeceased by her husband, Leonard M. Knapp; her father and mother; two sisters, Madeline Abrahamson and Marguerite Pickwick; four brothers, Erskin Pickwick, Fred Pickwick Jr., Col. George Pickwick and Dr. Harold Pickwick; son-in-law Walter Anderson; niece Charlotte; and nephew Paul.Surviving are her daughter, Mary B. Anderson; three grandchildren, Jonathan, Jennifer and Sally; four great-grandchildren, Katie, Erin, Lauren and Julia; and many nieces and nephews.The family would like to give a very special thank you to the caregivers, nurses and physicians at Hodgkin Green in Damariscotta and the Maine Veterans' Home in Augusta, who gave her excellent care over her final years.Mary will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of her friendship and love. She will be laid to rest at Hillside Cemetery in Damariscotta, at a date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Congregational Church in Bristol Mills.Condolences to the family may be expressed via the funeral home Web site at www.strong funeralhome.com. Arrange-ments are entrusted to the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.