Dorothy Ann Knaggs (Cortesi)

Dorothy Ann Knaggs (Cortesi), 91, passed away September 9, 2023 at 11:00am peacefully at her home in Roseville, California surrounded by her children John Cortesi and Denise Radford. Her funeral service will be held at Saint Clare Catholic Church in Roseville, California at 10:30am on October 10, 2023. There will be a reception to follow at Saint Clare Catholic Church’s Morris Center in Roseville California.

Dorothy was born on January 2, 1932 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to John and Anna. She attended Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School. Dorothy met Alfred Cortesi in Atlantic City when Alfred was in the Navy and were married on November 25, 1950. They raised six children: John, Rita, Doris, Cindy, Denise and Greg. John, their eldest son, was born in Philadelphia. They moved to Boulder, Colorado where they had two girls; Rita and Doris. Then they moved to San Jose, California and had three children: Cindy, Denise and Greg.

Dorothy worked with Alfred in the family construction business, Cortesi & Sons Construction Company, as a bookkeeper. Square dancing was a big part of her life with Alfred. They would regularly attend camping trips with fellow square dancers. She also worked at the NCO (Non-Commissioned Officers Club) at Moffett Field as a secretary. Alfred Cortesi passed on December 28, 1987. In April 1989, Dorothy married Fred Knaggs.

Dorothy taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) at Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic Church in San Jose, California. She served as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve Associiation.

Dorothy loved to travel and attend luncheons with the Red Hat ladies. She also loved to crochet blankets for her children and grandchildren.

Dorothy is survived by her six children: John Cortesi, Rita Stefanski, Doris Cortesi, Cindy Stefanski, Denise Radford and Greg Cortesi and nine grandchildren; Justin Woods, John Cortesi, Jason Stefanski, Juliet Murphy, Louie Stefanski, Andrea Beck, Brian Radford, Gina Cortesi and Garrett Cortesi and fourteen great-grandchildren.