ln the early morning hours of October 13, 2020 Judi Kniffin relented her long, brave, struggle with ALS, peacefully leaving her many recent sorrows behind.

Judi was born to parents lrving and Violet (Gibson) Wilbur in Springfield, Massachusetts on December 7, 1943. She grew up there with her siblings Rose, John, and Neal as well as her cousin and forever best friend, Elaine.

The many summers spent at Hammonasett beach in Madison CT where her family had cottages, impressed upon her, a lifelong love of the ocean and its shores. lt was there in 1957 she was introduced to what would be another lifelong love, Earl Vinton Kniffin. Judi knew at that first meeting, that she was going to marry him and they were wed, on August 10, 1963.

They lived for many years in Killingworth, CT before moving to Thetford, VT in the late 80's. They made a home for themselves there, a three story stone lighthouse replica, with a motif strongly influenced by the sea.

Judi and Elaine would get away every year for a week of sun and fun. Seafood, sand, and seashells. Absorbing the seaside before returning to her land locked home.

An avid reader, she especially preferred Stephen King and enjoyed making seashell art with the many items found on the beach. ln the course of her life, she worked as an LNA, realtor and a cook. She was known for her delicious homemade rum cakes of which she distributed to friends, family, and her much appreciated neighbors, during the holidays.

Raised in a culture that prized the nickname "British Brick". Where a premium was placed on keeping a stiff upper lip and not wearing your heart on your sleeve, she could be as stone-faced as the protective walls of her lighthouse home. And like that home's walls, once within, warmth and comfort resided. With this stoicism she uncomplainingly endured the loss of her husband, home, and health, all the while maintaining her dry sense of humor and compassion for others and their burdens.

Her brother Neal made an annual pilgrimage from the west coast to spend a good part of Autumn at the lighthouse retreat. His passing in early 2019 ended that yearly ritual. Judi was predeceased as well, by her partner of over 56 years Earl "Bub" Kniffin in March of 2020.

Having no children of her own, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews to whom she was "second mom" and who will miss her dearly. She also leaves behind her sister, Rose Potito and husband Jack, brother John Wilbur and wife Nancy, good friends and in-laws David and Marilyn Kniffin, and her treasured cousin, Elaine Wetteman, with whom, she will make her final excursion to the ocean.