Martha Knox

Martha Flynn Knox, age 81, of Carlisle, died peacefully June 17, 2024, at UPMC Carlisle Hospital. She was born October 21,1942 in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late Priscilla (MacLeod) Flynn and Edward H. Flynn. Other important adults in her early years were her grandmother Martha (Wilson) MacLeod and family friend Howard Smith, both of whom predeceased her. 

Martha was a physical therapist in many different settings before and after staying home to raise her daughters when they were young. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Hood College in 2005 and retired from Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools as director of the Infants and Toddlers Program, a place she loved to work with people she loved. While living in Maryland she was very involved, along with her husband, Jim, in the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital as a beloved troop leader at many levels, and a support for and trainer of adult volunteers. Together she and Jim led groups of girls on many adventures including camping, scuba diving in the Bahamas and the Florida Keys, cross country travel to Wyoming, spelunking, rappelling, canoeing, sailing, and more. She was an avid crafter and quilter and shared her skills with anyone who had an interest in learning them, often at the family cabin in Michaux State Forest where she and Jim loved spending weekend time with friends and family. 

Upon her retirement in 2008, she and Jim moved to Carlisle to be closer to their family. While in Carlisle she volunteered regularly at Project SHARE and also for Susquehanna Service dogs as a puppy raiser for a rambunctious young black lab named Tundra and another named Cove, and was a sitter for many other service dogs over the years. She attended many school and sports events of her grandchildren over the years and was proud of each one of them. 

Martha is survived by daughter Marnie Anderson and her husband, Charles, of Carlisle, PA; daughter Lorie Taylor and her husband Jason Irwin of Emlenton, PA, as well as grandchildren Erin Anderson, Atlanta, GA; Kate Anderson and her husband Mattingly Griffiths, Lancaster, PA; Sarah Taylor, Frederick, MD; and Joshua Taylor, Johnstown, PA; as well as step grandchildren Hailey Irwin, Clarion, PA and Mallory Irwin, Emlenton, PA. Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-law Lynn Behun of Morganton, NC and nieces Beth Spahn, Martha Hudak, Jennifer Behun, and Marianne Titler and their families.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, James (Jim) MacDonald Knox, Jr., her brother in law Matthew Behun, and her son in law, William Todd Taylor. 

The family is grateful beyond measure to the staff of Cumberland Crossings, UPMC Carlisle, and Residential Hospice for the care they provided Martha. 

Memorial arrangements will be at the convenience of the family. Contributions in Martha’s memory may be made to Project SHARE – Serving the Community Since 1985 (projectsharepa.org) or Susquehanna Service Dogs What We Do | Assistance Dogs | Keystone Human Services (khs.org) . Burial will be at the family’s convenience at Oakmont Cemetery in Ridgway, PA. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hoffman Funeral Home and Cremation.