Gillian M.M. Knips

Daughter of John Conway and the late Florence (Bodley) Conway, she was born on November 19, 1960 in Glasgow, Scotland and was raised in Paisley, Scotland..

Gillian graduated from Glasgow University in 1982, and taught high school geography in Scotland for 12 years. Along with her love of teaching, Gillian was a tennis and gymnastics enthusiast, and possessed a keen interest in aircraft. One of the highlights of her life was flying aboard the Concord from New York to London. Gillian had a lifelong love for music, and was an avid flute and piano player throughout her life.

Upon her marriage to James Knips, Gillian moved to Long Island, New York in 1994. She worked for British Airways, and then taught first grade at the Friends Academy. She and her family relocated to Washingtonville in 2001, where she worked at English Rose Day School until 2007. She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother, whose sense of humor and love of life brought joy to all who knew her.

Gillian is survived by her husband of 22 years, Jim Knips, her daughters Amy and Hayley, her father John “Jack” Conway, her brother John Conway, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and her loving in-laws. She was pre-deceased by her mother, Florence “Margaret” Conway.

Visitation will be held from 2:00PM-4:00PM and 7:00PM-9:00PM on Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY, 10992. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at The First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville, 30 Goshen Avenue, Washingtonville, NY, 10992.

The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff of The Trump Pavilion for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Jamaica, New York and The Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh, New York for making her feel comfortable during her stay there. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Ferguson Funeral Home, (845) 496-9106. For directions or an online condolence, please visit www.davidtfergusonfh.com.