Barbara Firth Kneen, 90, of Old Greenwich, CT, passed away on Oct. 24th, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Born in White Plains, N.Y. on June 9, 1928 to Walter Russell and Ruth Swindells Firth, Barbara grew up in Old Greenwich, attended the Old Greenwich Elementary School, and graduated from Greenwich Academy and Smith College. After college, she worked for Harper’s Bazaar before marrying Harold Pierce Kneen, Jr., in September of 1951. Immediately following their marriage, while husband Pete attended Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., Barbara worked for the American Broadcasting Co. in New York. After Pete’s graduation from OCS they moved to Norfolk, Va. where Pete was assigned to the U.S.S. Libra for the next 3 1/2 years.
Following his naval tour of duty, the Kneens lived in West Norwalk, CT, where they actively participated in the establishment of the United Church of Christ. In 1971, they moved to Old Greenwich where Barbara enjoyed volunteer work in the schools their sons attended, in scouting activities, and in various activities in the First Congregational Church.
Barbara is survived by her sons, Robert Pierce Kneen, his wife Liz Cushman Kneen and their children, Cora and William Kneen, all of Newtown, CT, and James Russell Kneen of Phoenix, Ari. She was predeceased by her husband in 2008.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, 108 Sound Beach Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, to Greenwich Academy, 200 North Maple Avenue, Greenwich, CT, 06830, or to one of your favorite charities.
