Gonna miss this 'tough-bird'
December 15th 2022 - By Rex Hohlbein
In early 2019 we were all introduced to Ann Knowles through posts made on the Facing Homelessness Facebook page. Instantly a kind community formed around her, giving her so much love and needed help.
I am very sad to let all of you know that Ann has passed away.
She was 82 years old. Ann received her Masters in Architecture from the University of Washington, worked for a number of architects in town over the years, including the nationally recognized Seattle firm of Mithun, way back when Omar Mithun's office was first getting going in Redmond.
She said being a woman architect was difficult, you had to push hard in a male dominated profession. I told her my daughter Jenn is also an architect, that I was grateful she helped pave the way for her!
Ann lived in the Fremont neighborhood for many years. She let her best friend Bennie, who is homeless, sleep regularly on the couch. He in turn helped with rent from art sales when he could. Often they would have coffee at Caffe Ladro together, which she called her living room!
Ann had seizures over the years, compromising her memory, so much so that she could no longer work. She also suffered from COPD and a number of age related illnesses. She died in the hospital recovering from a stroke.
First meeting Ann when discussing her eviction notice. It was a tough time for her.
Ann asked, "How many people donated?" I told her over 200, to which she replied, "Oh damn, my place is too small, I wanted to invite them all over to thank them.”
When we first met Ann she was two months behind in rent and had a host of other unpaid bills. We asked the community to raise a half year's rent for her, totaling $8,760.00, trying to keep her off the street. I made the post in the evening and by the morning $18,742.96 had been donated! In shock, Ann asked, "How many people donated?" I told her over 200, to which she replied, "Oh damn, my place is too small, I wanted to invite them all over to thank them."
Over the following nearly four years all of you in this loving community kept Ann in your hearts. You single handedly prevented her from falling into homelessness, put food on her table when she had nothing to eat, kept the heat on, and the phone connected.
That was not all though. Lynda, Neesa, Mariel, Katrina, Stefanie, Julie, and Catlin came over and spent a day cleaning her apartment. As the place was transformed before Ann's eyes I asked her when all was finished, "How are you doing Ann?" She replied, all serious, "I'm tired, it's exhausting watching people work so hard!"
Faith Cooley met with her many times to help with her finances, or I should say, the lack of them. And always, through the many upsANDdowns, her dear friends Bennie and Marsha were there. Ann was loved and the best thing is, she knew it.
Despite having fallen on hard times, especially in the last years of her life, those that knew Ann would say she was never a quitter, she was always a fighter. She was stubborn about her belief in herself and her abilities. She was, as I always told her, a tough-bird!
Ann had a twinkle in her eye and could also be very forward when she wanted something to happen. From time to time I would get a phone call from her, without a hello, just a stern, "You haven't called me for a long time!" Then, 10 seconds later, we would be laughing.
I learned about Ann's death from her best friend Bennie. He called and said simply, "Knowles is gone." There was a long silence. His heart was really hurting. Bennie is going through a great deal right now. In addition to Ann's death, he recently found out he has cancer and is now going through chemotherapy. He is still sleeping at Ann's apartment, but that will be gone soon too.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Facing Homelessness community for reaching out to Ann with so much LOVE and COMPASSION. This is how we are meant to be, living in loving community.
A community size LOVE to you Ann. Rest In Peace dear friend.
Meeting Ann at Caffe Ladro, her Living Room, when she heard the Facing Homelessness community had raised over $18K for her apartment rent. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of kindness!!
Ann the 'tough-bird'!
If you would like to donate something in Ann's name, to be of help to Bennie, which I know she would want to have happen, you can Venmo funds to @YouKnowMeNow. All funds will go to Bennie.
One of Ann's poems.
Such BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE coming to clean Ann's apartment when she was having a tough time of it.
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