Her biggest fan, a.k.a. her grandson, described her as an Alpha Hawk (a role model and life guide) because she was strong and never gave up. Her friends and everyone that met her admired her strength. Just one week before Christmas on December 18, 2023, Rhonda Lee Knouse was more courageous than strong and passed away at 6:46pm.

Rhonda was born on November 6, 1960 to Ronald Knouse and Martha (Newcomer) Knouse. She grew up in Penns Creek, Pennsylvania and graduated from Middleburg High School in 1978. Her first career was Cosmetologist/Beautician. She owned her own salon, The Ponytail Express. Pursing the first college degree in her family, she went on to achieve her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, Psychology (Bloomsburg 1998) and Social Work (Temple 2006), respectively. For decades she survived various medical challenges. After each one she was determined to recover and arise a stronger woman. Rhonda was extremely creative. She took up painting, sewing and crocheting as well as her most favorite: collecting gemstones and crafting handmade jewelry.

She moved to Florida in 2014 where she enjoyed her time with her only grandchild, Carter Caputo (7). She is survived by her daughter, Nacole Caputo; son-in-law Chris Caputo; brother, Ronald A. Knouse Jr.; step-siblings; nieces and nephews. After her passing, Rhonda was a match to donate her corneas. This poem was found amongst her things:

TO REMEMBER ME

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby’s face or the love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.
Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.
Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
If you must bury something, let be my faults, my weaknesses and all prejudice against my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil.
Give my soul to God.
If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.
If you do all I have asked I will live forever.
~ Robert N. Test

No traditional services will be held at this time, upon Rhonda’s request. A memorial and celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. She loved her wild big cats, especially the Bengal Tiger. She often supported St. Jude Children’s Hospital. She would feel the extent of your love if you donated to the big cats or St. Jude in her name.

Make a Donation in Honor of Someone | World Wildlife Fund

Donate now to St. Jude and help kids fighting cancer – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org)

 

As she walks down the street

You won’t see her limp

Only a small shift

From her uneven feet

She’ll smile and

Bid you good day

But the pain in her bones

Won’t go away.

She won’t let you see her pain

For she fears the loss of her friends

If she too often complains.

~ Rhonda Knouse