Margaretha Kermelis

Margaretha Kermelis (Knaust), a Resident of Rye, NY, died suddenly at a Family Home in North Idaho on September 27, 2023. She was 77 years old.
Margaretha, or Minna, as she preferred to be called, was born in Stockholm, Sweden on April 16, 1946, to Ina and Gunnar Knaust. Ina later remarried Leif Frick, Minna’s stepfather. Minna divided her younger years mainly between Sweden and New York. She attended school in both, completing post- Medical School in Sweden.

In addition to sailing on Swedish waters, Minna traveled to St. Tropez, France, the French Riviiera in St. Tropez, Cannes and Nice enjoying Life. She also spent time in Westchester County, NY. She spoke fondly of Those Younger Years, People, and Places. Minna worked at the Pathology Laboratory at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Cancer Research Department. Minna later met her husband, Francois George Kermelis, while working on the Upper East Side of New York City. George was Managing the famed gathering place, The Recovery Room, nearby. They briefly lived together in NYC before getting Married in Sweden in 1971.   She also lived in Marbella, Alicante and Madrid, Spain, where their 2 Sons were born. Inseparable, they were affectionately called The Gypsies by Her Mother. They Lived in London and Spain before later settling back in Rye, New York. This was where they raised their two Sons, Christian and Demitri. They remained married until his death in 2002.

In Her 77 Years, Minna traveled the World, from the Brazilian Rainforests to the Taj Mahal to the Alps of Switzerland to Hong Kong, and everything in between. She Lived a Life Rich in Great Moments, drawing from a favorite cautionary quote of Hers, “Life is what Happens when we are busy Making plans”. She was a Master Storyteller but a good Listener; She had Immense experience to draw from and gave Priceless advice to others.

Minna is survived by her son, Demitri Kermelis; daughter-in-law, Tamara Sines-Kermelis; Granddaughters River and Sage; her brother, Christian Knaust; and brother-in-law, Carmen Valvo; as well as countless extended Family and Friends. She had a reverence for Nature and Fate, was a supporter of Animal Rights causes, Lover of good food, music and interesting People, a Believer in Angels and an expert at growing Pretty Orchids.