Knuckley, as a youth, was known mainly as part of the first Catholic, Lebanese family in Wendell.

But she was soon recognized for so much more.

Knuckley was a pioneering businesswoman, groundbreaking parishioner, relentless community activist and accessible friend and mother.

Knuckley died Oct. 14 at the age of 88.

As the face of Kannon's clothing on Main Street and an active member of St. Eugene's Catholic Church (of which she was a charter member), Knuckley wielded more influence than any town politician.

Knuckley alone kept people coming to Wendell even in the worst of times.

"Downtown would be a very sad place if not for her," says Carol Hinnant, a town commissioner and friend of Knuckley. "Her face and business acumen kept a lot of other businesses open (in the 1970s) because (Kannon's) is an anchor store.

When tobacco markets closed and agriculture shrunk as the town's main industry, Knuckley aided farmers and other businesses by curbing clothing costs and increasing promotional efforts for the town.

It's also when she lobbied commissioners to install new sidewalks, underground wiring, and new streets in Wendell as part of its downtown revitalization.

"In tough times, they kept their business here even though they could have moved somewhere else," Hinnant continued. "Her family was raised on the principle that you give to the community and the community gives to you."

The daughter of Isaac Kannon, who came to this country as a peddler, Knuckley was also a shrewd businesswoman. Even Kannon's suppliers revered her, her children say.

"She was never intimidated by anyone," said her daughter, Joe Ann Wright. "Customers, who were often farmers, sometimes wouldn't have to pay us until the end of the season. In her early 20s, my mother would go out to the customers' homes to collect the payments by herself."

Knuckley used that entrepreneurial zeal in promoting her church as well.

Every year, she was the top saleswomen for tickets to St. Eugene's annual International Food Festival, the proceeds of which went toward the construction of the new church on Lion's Club Road. The church opens in four months.

"She was the matriarch of the church," said Tom Barry, Knuckley's friend and fellow member of St. Eugene's.

Knuckley was an avid listener who multitudes sought out for encouragement and wisdom.

"We used to joke about needing to add a "Dr." to the front of her name plate (on Knuckley's desk) because so many people would come in and ask her advice," said Knuckley's daughter, Boo Knuckley Jefferson. "People would tell me, 'Your mother always made me feel good (and) said I could be somebody.'"

Even St. Eugene's priests ate at Knuckley's dinner table as much as they ate at their own, Jefferson and Wright said.

Perhaps Hinnant said it best: "No question she was Wendell's leading woman until the day she died."