Obituary of Hilary Fleming Knatz

Hilary Knatz, née Fleming, was a caring mother, grandmother, sister, companion, benefactor, clinical psychologist, and friend. She passed away on March 16, 2021, of natural causes at age 79. 

Hilary was born in 1941 in London, England, to Etta Leist of Austria and Marcus Fleming of Scotland. She and her sister, Alison, grew up in London, Washington DC, and New York City. 

After attending Bryn Mawr and Barnard Colleges, she received a Master of Arts degree in teaching and a Master of Education degree in counseling from Columbia University Teachers College and a PhD in psychology from New York University, where she served as an adjunct associate professor for many years.

Hilary was Principal Clinical Psychologist when she retired from Essex County Hospital Center in 2013. She continued in private practice. Over the years, she also worked for Newbridge Services, Queens Nassau Nursing Home, Wayne General Hospital, Essex County Department of Public Safety, NYU School of Education Counseling Center, and Hilson Research, Inc. Hilary was a facilitator for the Divorced and Separated Group. She was a member of the New Jersey Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association.

Hilary loved her glass of Chardonnay, dessert, a good joke, traveling, meeting with her study group (decades after they had graduated) and the Small Christian Community, lunches with her former colleagues, spending time in the Catskill Mountains, and listening to MSNBC. She felt deeply about world issues and social inequities.  She also made many friends through Facebook and Words with Friends. 

Hilary is survived by her partner of 16 years, Gerard Scola; her son, Brian Knatz Marcus, and his wife, Nathalie; her grandson, Benjamin; her stepson, Wolcott “Eric” Sprague, and his wife, Alicia; her step-grandchildren, James and Penelope; her sister, Alison Fleming, and nieces Jess, Emma, and Sari; and her stepbrother, Jack Gohn.

All arrangements private by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com).  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (or a charity of your choice — Hilary supported many causes).