It is with a heavy heart that the family of Perrie Lynn Knorr informs you of her passing after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, on Thursday, November 16, 2017. Her fight is over, but her love, memory and courage will live on and continue to inspire those that knew her.
Perrie was born August 1, 1943 in Mt. Vernon, Washington to Maxine Powell and 2nd Lt. Robert Knight. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from UCLA and went on to earn a Master's Degree from International University where she met John Knorr. Perrie married John R. Knorr, a fellow psychologist, in 1974 and moved to Traverse City, Michigan. Perrie and John were both active professionally, in the community, and church but they especially shared a passion for music and the arts. Even with a young family, Perrie gave her time as a member of the St. Patrick's choir and as the Director of the Counselor in Training program at the Interlochen Summer Arts Program. As retirement approached Perrie's dedication to music, art, travel, faith and service became an even larger part of her life. She became a very active member of the local Sweet Adeline's chorus, she won national recognition for crafting skills in doll making appearing in Quilting Arts Magazine, and regularly enjoyed international travel. In addition, she continued to support the importance of positive mental health and many friends will remember her as being the voice of reason and a shoulder to cry on in times of crisis.
Her friends and family will remember most the fierceness of her spirit and determination to embrace life to the fullest, regardless of what her physical body decided to do. Even one month prior to her passing Perrie traveled to Lake Tahoe to celebrate the marriage of her nephew, Patrick Freeman. And then again traveled to Las Vegas to compete with her chorus in the Sweet Adeline's International competition.
Perrie is now reunited with her loving husband John R. Knorr (2010), her mother Maxine Powell Freeman (1994), and her father 2nd Lt. Robert Knight (1945). Perrie will forever be remembered and celebrated by her loving daughters Janilyn Kay (Thomas F.) Murtha IV of Dickinson ND, and Rebecca Anne (Michael) Brosnan of Fruitport, MI; grandchildren, Haley, Shane, Thomas, Gwyneth, and Rhiannon; stepfather Frank Freeman, and brothers Richard, Robert, and Charlie Freeman.
Perrie's family invites you to celebrate her amazing life at Reynolds- Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 6th St., Traverse City on Tuesday, November 21st, visitation from 5-7pm, rosary at 7pm. Funeral Service will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, in Traverse City on Wednesday, November 22nd: visitation and greetings at 10-11am, mass at 11am, followed by a luncheon. Burial will follow the luncheon at 2pm at Grand Traverse Memorial Garden in Traverse City. Perrie may be remembered through memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society.