Patricia Lucille (Natale) Knauer, 79, of Clermont, FL, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, April 22 ^nd , 2019 at Mike Conley Hospice House surrounded by her loving family. Born on March 18 ^th , 1940, in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of late Angelo M. Natale and Kathleen M. (Smith) Natale.

Patricia graduated from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in 1958, then attended beautician school.  She is preceded in death by her first husband, William A. James. "Pat" started her family in 1960. Six years and nine months later she was the mother of five children; one girl and four boys. Pat's love of camping was unbounding and brave as the family embarked on not one, but two journeys over the years that took them around the United States – from the Badlands of South Dakota, to white-water rafting on the Shoshone River in Wyoming, to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, to the red deserts of Arizona, and dancing with Native Americans in Oklahoma.  What she loved most about camping was all the friends she made along the way.

Pat met and married her husband of thirty-five years, Barry L. Knauer, while working at Sears, and her family grew to eight with a fifth son, Tavis. She continued to work designing kitchens and baths for Sears until her retirement, when camping again became a big part of her life. Upon retirement, Pat and Barry became full-time RV'ers, traveling the country and sharing the journey with the new generation of grandchildren and friends they met along the way.  They put down roots again in 2003 at Outdoor World Resorts Clermont, FL, where, according to Pat, they have the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

Pat was wife, mother, grandmother, and friend extraordinaire.  She loved good food, spending time with friends, square dancing, and playing cards.  She enjoyed going to the movies, shopping and lunch with her girlfriends.  Like a true Italian, you were never a stranger when you walked into her home, and you had better bring your appetite!  Holidays were her favorite and all were always welcome to enjoy the feast.  Her generosity was unlimited.

Pat is survived by her husband Barry and six adult children who reside in Pennsylvania; Kathleen M. (James) Yoder [Michael], William A. James [Debra], Thomas P. James [Donna], Michael S. James [JeDonne], Christopher C. James, and Tavis E. Knauer [Emily]; grandchildren Brandon Yoder [Erin], Brittany Yoder [Justin], Christian Yoder [Jamie], Katrina (James) McMullen [Brian], Shannon (James) Polidore [Steven], Alyssa James, Sarah James, Dillon James, Torie Dugas, Matthew James, Nicholas James, Landin Knauer, Austin Knauer; ten great-grandchildren Ethan Yoder, Elena Yoder, Owen Howell-Clarke, Jack Howell-Clarke, Hayden Yoder, Madeleine Polidore, Noah Polidore, Antonio Polverini, Remington Fischer, and Isabella Campos; and her beloved dog, Brutus.

Patricia's family would like to thank all the care givers of Mike Conley Hospice House for their compassionate, tender, and conscientious care of Pat.  Their kindness will not be forgotten.

A memorial funeral mass will be held at St Faustina's Catholic 1714 U.S. Highway 27, Clermont, FL 34714 on Saturday, April 27 ^th , at 1:00pm to celebrate her journey to her heavenly home and into the arms of our savior.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered in Patricia's name to St Faustina's Construction Fund, 1714 U.S. Highway 27, Suite 23, Clermont, FL 34714.

A celebration of life will be held in Pennsylvania with a Catholic mass and picnic on June 15 ^th with friends and family.