Carol R. Knowlton, 74, passed peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, after a period of declining health.

Carol, a Lawrence native, was born on May 13, 1942, to Florence (Auger) and Herve Thibault and attended Lawrence schools.  Carol worked over 30 years at Raytheon in Andover, and was on the development team in creating the Patriot missile.  Carol also loved animals and over the years, raised and nurtured English Bull dogs of which one, Slugger, became the mascot for the U.S. Marines.  From bull dogs to Old English bullmastiffs, she loved Big Ben and Big Red.  In recent times, she adored her cat, Minnie, who gave her comfort and companionship.  Carol was also the best cook in the world with family recipes that have been passed on to children and grandchildren.  She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Carol was predeceased by her husband, James A. Knowlton, her son, James A. Knowlton, Jr and grandson, Stephan Knowlton.  She leaves behind two sisters, Doris and Jules Bauters of Pelham, NH and Jean Tisbert of Danville, NH, who is predeceased by her husband, Norman Tisbert and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  Carol leaves behind her three daughters, Eileen C. O'Donnell and her husband, Michael, of Exeter, NH, Deborah McLaughlin and her husband, Mark, of Salisbury, MA and Kimberly Knowlton and Jeffrey Chaisson of Amesbury.  She leaves nine grandchildren, Edward O'Donnell,  Kathleen and her husband, Ian Trowell, Michael O'Donnell and Mary O'Donnell;  Brittany McLaughlin and Ian McLaughlin; Amy Laoisa and her husband, Joseph, Howard Hart and Ryan Hart and his partner, Lindsay.  Great-grandchildren include Daniel Knowlton, Natalie and Silas Laoisa, Daniel and Caleb Hart, and Quintin Trowell.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 from 4 to 7pm at The Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. A Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, February 15 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick’s Parish, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the MSPCA at www.mspca.org/donate-now/    For directions, or to leave an online condolence, please go to www.dewhirstfuneral.com.

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