Mary C. Knittel

SHIRLEY - Mary Clare Knittel, 82 of Shirley, passed away at her home, surrounded by her family on Friday, February 26, 2021.

Born in Hempstead, New York on August 3, 1938, Mary was daughter to the late Michael and Bridget (Brennan) O’Shea.

Mary traveled the world with George and spent many years in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands. She is mother to six children and grandmother to twelve grandchildren. Mary loved her children and was always at all of their sports games, graduations and events when they were growing up. She was a strong, Christian woman and knew that God had a plan for her life. She became a prayer warrior for her church and family as time progressed. She loved to quilt and was meticulous with her hand quilting. She made many quilts that decorated her house and many of her children’s beds. She was a strong Irish woman and loved to sing in the church choir.

Mary is lovingly survived by her spouse,

George Herman Knittel of Shirley, MA; her sister, Alice Norkett, Merrick, NY; her children, Bridget Atkinson, Ashburn ,VA, James Knittel, Groton,

MA, Maggie Porpora, Westminster, MA, Matthew Knittel, Mechanicsburg, PA, and Timothy Knittel, Groton, MA. Mary was predeceased by her son, George Michael Knittel and her sister Betty Reinertsen.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 4-7 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, Ayer, MA. Mary will be privately laid to rest at Shirley Center Cemetery in Shirley. A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held by invitation from the family. A Livestream of Mary’s celebration will be provided by the Pepperell Christian Fellowship Church at www. may be made in Mary’s memory to the New

Life Home in Manchester, N.H, at www. newlifehome.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Rd., Ayer, MA. For directions or to place an online condolence, please visit www.andersonfuneral.com.