Teri Knowles
Teri was born in St Louis, Missouri on August 12, 1956. Her twin sister Mary arrived a short time before her, making Teri the sixth daughter of William E (Bill) Hanna Jr. and Annette Antoniow. When she was six years old the family moved to Rockville, Maryland so her Dad could work for NASA.
She grew up in Rockville, going to grade school at St. Mary’s and high school at the Academy of the Holy Cross. She got her Associates Degree from Montgomery College and went on to attend the University of Maryland at Baltimore’s medical school where she received her degree in Physical Therapy. She later attended Johns Hopkins University receiving her Masters Degree.
Her first job as a physical therapist was at Prince George’s Hospital as an in-patient PT. She helped establish the cardiac care unit at their rehab center. She then worked in a private orthopedic practice for several years before switching her focus to pediatrics and beginning her thirty-year career at Howard County Public Schools. She found her dream job in the Infants and Toddlers Program working with babies and preschool-aged kids.
Teri (Major Knowles) was a life-long member of the Civil Air Patrol, the US Air Force Auxiliary. She learned about CAP from her Dad who was an Air Force Reserve Officer assigned to the program. It was at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Composite Squadron that she met the love of her life, John Knowles. They served as cadets together and grew closer when John drove Teri back and forth from Baltimore to CAP meetings on Wednesday nights. Having a couple of hours to chat and get to know each other planted a seed that blossomed into 43 years of marriage, three wonderful children and two grandchildren.
Teri was dedicated to serving others through her volunteer work, instilling in her children the importance of giving back to the community. She was a volunteer at St Peters Parish in Olney, MD. She was a lector, eucharistic minister, and she worked with a team that counted the collections each week. She helped John coach various sports including girls soccer. She worked with the Gabriel Project, an all-volunteer organization helping needy women in Montgomery County, Maryland, who are facing crisis pregnancies, and their children, by providing practical support, including cribs, strollers, clothing, grocery cards, diapers, formula, and other needed items. She also volunteered to help the local Health Department during COVID and volunteered at a food bank in Burtonsville helping to feed those in need during the year of COVID.
Teri’s family was the most important part of her life. Her three children Michael, Rachel and Daniel were the center of her world. She was able to work part time for a number of years as the children went through school. Rachel, who followed in her Moms steps as a physical therapist, married Rick Greenwalt in 2022. They gave her her first grandchild, a boy, Billy, in 2024 and a granddaughter, Hanna, born on July 16, 2025. The Lord and Teri had to plan to make certain that she got to meet Hanna. The smile on Teri’s face while holding her lit up the room.
She was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 2021. That began the fight against a horrible disease that takes away the use of the muscles in the body. Her twin Mary lost her battle with ALS in 2013 and her sister Patty passed from ALS in 2020. Her optimistic spirit kept hope alive and kept her fighting one day at a time, struggling to enjoy each and every day. She had a very strong faith that kept her focused on living each day without complaints, knowing that heaven awaited her. She was homebound for over a year and a half, but had a steady group of friends who visited 4-5 days a week.
Her family was the foundation that kept her strong. Mike, the oldest, who works in IT for Clover Sports, moved back home from Austin, TX to help in her care between his work trips. Dan, the youngest, who is a Merchant Marine officer that lives in Norfolk and works as a US Navy contractor, was able to come home several times each month to hang out, visit and help with her care. Rachel was able to visit a couple times a week and arranged to work from Teri’s home one day a week. She would bring Billy, and Grammy and Grandpa would help care for him while she worked.
Teri lost her battle with ALS on Sunday July 20th in the early morning. She was surrounded by her husband John, her three children and her sister Kathy who was in town helping to care for Teri.
Her family included Willam E Hanna Jr. and Annette (Antoniow) deceased; her sisters Sharon Bladen and husband Gary, Mickey Indyk and husband Gene, Patty Fourcade (deceased) and husband Robert, Kathy Copmann and husband Tom, Mary Cross and husband David (both deceased), and Jeanette Freeland. Her husband John Knowles; children Michael; Rachel Knowles Greenwalt and husband Rick, grandson Billy and granddaughter Hanna; and son Daniel. She has 9 Nephews, 9 Nieces, 9 Great nieces and 3 Great nephews.
Family will receive friends at PUMPHREY’S COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 300 W. Montgomery Ave, Rockville, MD on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 from 5 to 8 pm and again at Saint Peter’s Parish, 2900 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD on Thursday, July 31 from 10 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flower, please consider contributions to: