03/18/2026
Lillian Diane Lopis Knowlton, 73, peacefully passed away on March 4, 2026, at Crouse Hospital while surrounded by her family. Born on March 1, 1953, in Syracuse, New York, to the late Alice Houmiel and Peter Lopis; loved and raised by her late step-father Thomas Houmiel.
Lillian shared an epic love story with husband, Fred Sr., whom she met when she was 7 and he was 9. Together they crafted a life, love, and family spanning 66 years with 55 years of marriage that never wavered and a bond that only deepened with each passing year.
More than anything, Lillian was a woman of faith, prayer, and utmost devotion to her family – loving them unconditionally. A true Matriarch to her family and her community. Her home was always open to anyone who needed it. And she led her family, friends, and even strangers to Christ.
A proud caretaker, Lillian ran a daycare out of her home for several decades where she taught, laughed with, nursed back to health, and helped raise dozens of children in Central New York. Her famous end-of-summer pizza party competitions will forever be remembered. She was also very active in the Church and her family's lives, always stepping up to lead by example and never missing a concert, play, sporting event, graduation, grandparents' day, or movie invite.
Lillian is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 55 years, Fred Knowlton Sr.; her children, Fred (Christy) Knowlton Jr., Amy Katura, and Sandra (Howard) Seabrook; her grandchildren, Abigail, Tori (Josh), Noah, Raven (AJ), Jael, Sebastian, Asher, and Sophia; and her great-grandchildren, Myla, Harper, Remi, Leo, and Leon.
