Mary Gwen Knapp, extraordinary person
Mary Gwen Knapp, 61, died Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in Manhattan, N.Y., after a fierce battle with lymphoma. Gwen was born in Delaware and spent the rest of her too-brief life championing underdogs, challenging injustice, and connecting friends, family, and colleagues all over the world with her generosity, stubborn intelligence, and insistence that everyone could use a good editor (and she was one of the best). She was an extraordinary person whose death has unleashed a collective sigh of loss from the world of sports journalism, where she was well-known for her exacting pursuit of excellence, an ability to pinpoint and appreciate the absurd, and above all, for her kindness and a deep sense of empathy. Anyone planning on exploiting their power, picking on an underling, or displaying a sense of arrogance around Gwen quickly backed off when they found themselves subject to her unwavering sense of social justice and sharp wit.
Survived by her father, Laurence B. Knapp Jr., of Newark; and sisters Susan Knapp McClements (Bill) of Lexington, Mass., Rebecca Knapp Adams (Chris) of Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., and Nancy Knapp Piccione (Anthony) of Concord, Mass. Gwen’s mother, Eleanor Agnew Knapp, preceded her in death in 2017. Gwen was a cherished and loving aunt to Will McClements (Liz), Annie Montgomery (Seth), Becky McClements, Will Adams, Caroline Adams, Christopher Adams, Anna Piccione and Leslie Piccione. Also survived by her dad’s partner of several years, Sonja M. Exley; as well as her aunt and uncle, Carolyn and Jack Agnew of Wilmington, and her aunt, Adele Hudson Trout of Lewes; and many cousins, whom she adored.
Valedictorian of her Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1979, Gwen graduated from Harvard University, where she was a varsity swimmer and an editor at Harvard Crimson. After graduation, she began her award-winning career, first as a journalist at the Wilmington News Journal, followed by the Philadelphia Inquirer. In 1995 she was recruited by the San Francisco Examiner. At that time, she was one of the few female sports columnists in the country and served as a mentor and role model for many who came after her. She remained at the Examiner and Chronicle for 17 years. Gwen joined Sports on Earth (2012-14), and in 2014 she moved back to the East Coast to be closer to family and accepted a position as an editor at the New York Times, where she was known for her strong sense of justice, as well as her singular sense of humor, her kind mentorship, and the sublime mastery of her craft.
Gwen’s circle of friends was somehow both expansive and intimate: There was nothing she would not do for her friends, whom she loved beyond measure. They returned that love in full when Gwen’s lymphoma recurred in December 2021, as friends pushed the limits of hospital visiting policies during her treatments, checking in on and supporting Gwen in countless ways, and creating the atmosphere she loved best – one filled with love and laughter and poignant and hilarious stories. Although deeply touching and comforting to her family, the outpouring of love and support from Gwen’s friends was not surprising. The Knapp Family always looked forward to welcoming the fascinating and loving Friends of Gwen (FoG) for holiday dinners and vacations.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
