Elizabeth Joan (Drach) Knight, aged 71, died on 9 January 2025 at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative & Hospice Care in Hanover, NH. She was born on 26 December 1953 to Joseph J. Drach Sr. and Betty J. Drach at the FEAMCOM Air Base in Tachikawa, Japan. At age two, Elizabeth’s family moved back to the US, and lived in various states including Ohio and New York during her father's military career. However, most of Elizabeth’s life was spent in upstate New York. She graduated from Canajoharie High School in the 1970s and earned her bachelor’s degree at Montgomery College in Johnstown, NY.
Elizabeth loved the snow and was an avid skier in her early years. For her, everything was magical when it snowed. Flakes, flurries, swirls, crystals- in whatever form, she’d take it. The snow-capped peaks of Mt. Washington were one of her favorite views, which she got to appreciate while driving to New Hampshire for winter visits to her son and grandchildren. Her son, Christopher, meant the world to her. From singing him to sleep as a baby, to taking him to his first concert, (Elvis Castello if you’re interested), Elizabeth imbued in him her love and appreciation for music. Her massive vinyl collection and her many stories of memorable concerts, such as her time dancing at a Grateful Dead concert whilst pregnant, were signature parts of who she was.
Her family lovingly recall the annual Mother’s Day hikes through Flume Gorge, her coffee obsession- 3 creams, no sugar (which she drank everyday right up to her deathbed), and her weekly Saturday night drives to nowhere listening to Prairie Home Companion on NPR. Elizabeth was a sponge of information, always sharing new tidbits of information with the people she cared about. Her kindness and love of the unlovable things of the world drove her to always give a home to stray cats, with whom she shared her life with and loved dearly. Her keen eye and magpie mentality were on display every time she scoured flea markets and antique stores for the trinkets and furniture that others passed by. She enjoyed turning these ignored treasures into something beautiful. Which she was good at. Well, most of the time. She always supported her artist friends in all their endeavors, and was a world class knitter and seamstress, who gifted scarves to the people she loved.
Her most memorable scarf, a 20ft long, a never-ending project, was modeled after the signature costume piece of Dr. Who’s fourth iteration played by Tom Baker. Every year she’d say, “I’m still working on it, I’ll have it done soon.” Who can say if she would have ever been satisfied enough to complete it, but as fans of British television can attest, The Doctor would’ve love it. Elizabeth’s passion for science fiction books and shows, such as Star Trek: Next Generation, and the aforementioned Doctor Who, mirrored her extreme pacifist political beliefs and world view. As an abolitionist and civil rights activist, she remained firm in her belief of a kinder world, educating others gently and never resorting to heated arguments.
Her “obstinate pacifism” likely influenced her time spent with the Friend’s Meeting Quaker Church, which she attended from the early 1980’s through the 1990s, before her religious views turned toward agnosticism. She believed in the possibility of reincarnation and remained open-minded to the beautiful unknown that is the afterlife. May whatever she finds in that great unknown mirror the beauty and kindness that she gave to others while living.
Elizabeth is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Drach. She is survived by her son, Christopher Knight; grandchildren Oliver & Elijah Knight; her father Joseph J. Drach Sr.; brother Joseph J. Drach Jr.; and sisters Kristi Drach and Tracy Drach. Assisting the family with arrangement is the Cremation Society of NH, Hampton. There will be no memorial service, but if you would like to honor Elizabeth’s memory, please consider donating to your local animal shelter. To view Elizabeth's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.
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