South Paris – Janice “Sunny” Rae Knudsen was born in Syracuse, N.Y., to Raymond and Edith Howard on April 13, 1927. She was quickly nicknamed “Sunny” by her father. Her sunny smile and gentle personality were a part of her until she died quietly in her sleep on Nov. 6.

She attended Syracuse University with plans to obtain a degree in business. After two years, she met a fellow student and her heart was swept away by this World War II veteran. On Oct. 16, 1948, she married James B. Knudsen. They lived in Lewiston, N.Y., raising two children. Sunny was active in the First Presbyterian Church, bridge groups and her children’s schools.

After her husband’s death in 1975, she moved to Norway to be near her daughter and son-in-law. Until Alzheimer’s disease took her freedom, it was not possible to keep up with her active life.

She was a regular member of the kitchen crew and knitting group at the Second Congregational Church. Each Monday she was one of the “fluff and fold” group at Stephens Memorial Hospital Thrift Shop. For many years, she was a substitute teacher and volunteer in the special education program at the Guy E. Rowe School and Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

She helped with activities at the Norway Public Library and enjoyed her work with the Democratic party. She was always most delighted by travel and visits with family and friends. Besides her smile, she may be best known to a generation of children as “the slipper lady.” Each fall she would knit dozens of slippers so children at the Rowe school would not have to wear winter boots all day.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marcye and Dennis Gray of Norway; her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Nita Knudsen of Maui, Hawaii; her sister, Marjie Tompkins of Syracuse, N.Y.; her niece, Sharee Lemos of Camillus, N.Y.; and her nephew, Jim Tompkins of Baldwinsville, N.Y.

Her family extends appreciation to the staff of Market Square Healthcare Center, Andrews West, for the care and kindness they gave Sunny.