We should not measure one's life by how long they live but by how they live
Obituary
Lisa Ann Horan Borbonus Knapp, passed away early Saturday morning on January 21, 2023 at the age of 65. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Jack and Lillian Dean & Paul Horan Sr and Annabelle Horan; her parents, Carole and Paul; her brother, Billy and her half sister, Allison.
She is survived by her husband, Edward Alan Knapp; sister, Carolyn Rand (Randy) Horan; daughter, Cara Lynne Knapp; son, Edward Andrew Knapp; foster daughter, Michelle Renee Mantei; granddaughter, Kiley Alicia Knapp; granddaughters mother, Angelica Villamizar; mother-in-law, Wendy Knapp; sisters-in-law, Karen Cooper, Jane Patrick and Barbara Knapp; brother-in-law, Jeff Knapp; cousin, Joseph McAneney; friend, Rita Holmes; dear friend, Deborah Lagos; dear friend & Godmother to her children, Carmen Barquerro; her devoted service dog, Bryce Canyon Knapp and countless cousins, nieces, relatives and friends.
Lisa was born at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 22, 1957 to Carole Lynn Borbonus and Paul Vincent Horan Jr. She was the eldest of four siblings, her half sister, Allison Barros, being the youngest, followed by her sister Carolyn (Randy) Rand Horan and then her brother William (Billy) Paul Horan.
Lisa was born with Cerebral Palsy and paralyzed from the waist down. She had to use crutches in her younger years, to get around and was later confined to wheelchair for the remainder of her adult life. Her childhood and life were by no means, easy and she underwent many surgeries, most of which kept her in body casts for extended periods of time. Although she had to endure many things that children her age never had to experience, she was very triumphant in mind, heart and spirit. Always continuing forward with her “keep pushing through and go get em” attitude. Lisa loved helping and caring for those around her and always managed to put others before herself, despite her disability and numerous health challenges.
She was very close to both of her siblings especially her brother Billy. She loved and cherished him like no other. Unfortunately, her time with Billy was short. After the tragic passing of her beloved 13 year old brother, Lisa began her journey of service. At the age of 15, she volunteered as a Candy Striper at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, to express her gratitude for their efforts in taking care of her brother.
Lisa had a passion for learning and graduated from Forest Hill High School and continued her education at Palm Beach State College, where she earned her Associates Degree before proceeding on to earn her Bachelors Degree in Communication from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). GO OWLS!
Strong in her faith, she attended Berean Baptist Church. It was there, in 1979, that a close friend, Rosemary Bowman and a coworker, Belinda Jarriel, introduced Lisa to her soon to be lifelong, dedicated and loving husband, Edward Alan Knapp. Lisa and Ed hit it off from the start. After dating for only three months, they were engaged to be married and on April 25, of 1980, they wed.
Eager to begin a family, Lisa and Ed moved from Florida to Atlanta, Georgia. Not long after, in February of 1981, they welcomed their first child and son, Edward Andrew Knapp. A little over year later, they decided to return to West Palm Beach, Florida to continue raising their son.
Lisa and Ed had always wanted a daughter and in 1983, they applied to become a therapeutic foster family in hopes of helping children in need by providing a nurturing and safe environment. After becoming foster parents, they soon learned of newborn babies available for adoption and in 1986, they fostered and then fully adopted their daughter Cara Lynne Knapp.
In between earning her Associates and Bachelor’s degree, Lisa also taught 4th grade at Berean Christian School for one year before becoming a volunteer as a Florida Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). Additionally, she worked as a case manager, investigating abuse, for Child Protective Services.
Her work for both organizations provided the opportunity to meet and eventually foster their daughter Michelle Renee Mantei. After two years, Michelle was able to move forward and start her own life and still maintain a strong bond with Lisa & Ed over the years.
After years of working as a private chef in Palm Beach, Ed was hired by the “Dixons”, a prominent family on Palm Beach Island. During the summertime, the Dixons would travel to Maine and as part of his employment, Ed, Lisa and their children would all spend their summers in the small town of Winter Harbor.
Lisa loved how beautiful and serene it was there. Maine was one of her favorite places to be (as well as Hawaii).
In 1997, Lisa was diagnosed with Liver Disease. She had a good prognosis and though it was only chronic, it proved to be very trying and took a toll on her daily life. Soon thereafter, she found an amazing online group of individuals called “The Liverites”. She was not only able to find support there to cope with her disease but also made some of the most meaningful memories, life long connections and friendships, including Joan, Beth, Ana, and especially her best friend Rita Holmes. The Liverites meant the world to her! They all enriched each other’s lives, so much so, that they came to look at their disease as a blessing in disguise.
Lisa became an avid NASCAR enthusiast after her sister Randy introduced her to the sport. She had a great respect for it and in her words she “truly loved the thrill of it all!” It became such a huge part of her life and Jeff Gordon was her favorite driver of all time followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Chase Elliot. And in 2012, she was able to attend a NASCAR race and even walk the track. A dream finally come true!
Lisa had a beautiful smile that could light up any room and an infectious laugh. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and friend to all and she accomplished so much in her life. She was born a fighter and fought hard for others, as well as herself, her entire life. She dedicated her time, heart, money and much more to communities & charities far and wide.
She was a lover of true crime shows, hallmark movies, cooking shows, Olympic ice skating, Tom Cruise, Garth Brooks, Rob Thomas and Queen. She was an amazing cook and loved holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was very intelligent, full of life and so much more. She unconditionally loved her husband, son, daughter and granddaughter. Family and friends truly meant everything to her and she did anything in her power, to care for those around her.
Lisa’s life has left a true lasting impact on the world and on those who knew her. She is loved very dearly by many and will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Her memory will live on in our hearts, forever.
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Videos
Memory wall
Words can't describe how much I miss you and love you and how grateful I am that you are my mom. Thank you for the family you provided with Dad and thank you for everything you ever did for me and for all of us. Thank you for introducing me to great movies, and important people and music that I would've never known otherwise. Thank you for loving me and showing me how to love others and teaching me empathy, compassion and how to care for those less fortunate than me. Thank you for home cooked meals, especially during the summers in Maine. Thank you for movie dates and cooking competition shows. Thank you for the tonight show with Jay Leno and Law and Order. Thank you for Billy Joel, The Beach Boys, All the oldies, Celine Dion and country music because even though I may not listen to a lot of that now, I owe my most of my eclectic taste in music to you. Thank you for Casey Casem and Delilah on the radio. Thank you for my first concerts ever and for always letting me have my friends sleep over.
Thank you for believing in me even when I didn't see it that way and for trying to support me in things I wanted to do. Thank you for all your life lessons and teaching me so much.
Theres too many things I regret between us and wish we had more time but I am thankful for the conversations and heart to hearts we got to have. "Hindsight is 20/20" is the understatement of my life. Theres so much you were right about. I just wish I could tell you face to face. Above everything else I pray you know how much I truly love you. Thank you for always loving me and being the Mom I needed.
I hate that you're gone and I'll never understand a lot of it but I'm glad you're no longer confined and in pain and that you're with God, your mom, dad, billy and everyone you love up there.
I love and cherish you, oodles and boodles, always mom
Family tree
Paul Vincent Horan Jr.
Carole Lynn Borbonus
Edward Knapp
William (Billy) Paul Horan
Carolyn (Randy) Rand Horan
Michelle Renee Mantei
Cara Lynne Knapp
Kiley Alicia Knapp
Edward Andrew Knapp
Allison Barros
William (Billy) Paul Horan
Carolyn (Randy) Rand Horan
Allison Barros
Edward Knapp
Michelle Renee Mantei
Cara Lynne Knapp
Kiley Alicia Knapp
Edward Andrew Knapp
A Few of Her Favorites
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