Mary Lou Knepple

Mary Lou (Callahan) Knepple, 87, formerly of Bedford, NH died November 15, 2025 after a long illness.

Born in Manchester on February 9, 1938, she was the daughter of Cornelius and Margaret (Phelan) Callahan. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Notre Dame College in 1959.

Prior to retirement in 1993, she had taught in the Manchester School District for many years, most recently at Webster School. She began her teaching career at the Straw School in Manchester and taught in the Chesterfield County, Va. school district for eight years before returning to the Manchester area.

She had lived in Bedford before her retirement and after retirement had spent her summers in Hampton and winters in Florida for over 20 years.

Mary Lou will be remembered for her loyalty, sense of humor and unwavering generosity. She enjoyed playing Bridge, knitting, golfing and entertaining others. She was also awarded the Union Leader’s prestigious “Cook of the Month” award. Her friends and family were grateful that Mary Lou generously shared her recipes with them.

She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, George Knepple in 2015 and sister, Cornelia Callahan in 2024.

Family members include her daughter, Lori Tate of Edina, Minn.; grandson, Cody Tate of Edina; a niece, Linda Warner and husband Art; nephew, Timothy Coha of Mesa, Ariz.; numerous cousins and many close friends whom she cherished and adored.

The family would like to extend its thanks and gratitude to all of the staff at Benchmark at Rye for the wonderful care they provided Mary Lou over the last several years.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 24th at 11 am in the Shaw Memorial Chapel at St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting with arrangements.