Alison Kelly Knybel, age 50, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. Alison was a longtime resident and active community member in Tolland, CT; the cherished wife of Robert J. Knybel and loving mother to Molly Elaine Knybel. Alison was born in Southington, CT on August 31, 1966. She married Bob, the love of her life, on September 18, 1993 and settled in the Tolland area. With the birth of their daughter Molly, in 2002, and the additions of their cat Fiona and dog Lexi, their family was complete. She worked at Building Bridges, where she put her passion for children and her organizational skills to good use while facilitating a team of professionals responsible for working with the children of Connecticut. Inspired by her daughter’s best friend, Adam Mlodzinski, she served as the President of Adam’s Adventure, where she led the Tolland community in building an accessible playground where children of all abilities can play freely. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her college degree at Manchester Community College, where she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. By far her greatest joy came from her family and friends. Alison loved nothing more than being a wife to Bob, a mom to Molly, and building a home filled with love, laughter and friendship. Alison was predeceased by her parents, John and Patricia Kelly, and her nephew, Nicholas Knybel. She is survived by her husband, Robert Knybel of Tolland; her beloved daughter, Molly Elaine Knybel of Tolland; her brother, Michael Kelly of Groton, MA and his wife Ruth; four sisters—Patti Raffile of Rockfall, CT and her husband Gene; Deborah Kelly of Tolland, CT; Penny Kelly of Norwalk, CT; and Katie Kelly and her husband Tim Brown of Highland, MD; brothers-in-law, David Knybel and Donald Knybel of Manchester, CT; sister-in-law Cathie Knybel; 18 beloved nieces and nephews, 5 great-nieces and nephews; and scores of friends who will miss her dearly. Friends and relatives may join the family on Sunday, April 23rd, 2017 between 4 PM and 7 PM at The Tolland Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Merrow Road, Tolland, CT. A church service will be held on Monday, April 24, 2017 at the United Congregational Church of Tolland, 45 Tolland Green, at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at South Cemetery on Cider Mill Road in Tolland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Migraine Research Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. For online condolences, please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

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