Saints Hall of Fame Fleur de Lis Award winner Marie Knutson passes away

She was a spirited person.

She was an opinionated person.

She was a passionate person.

She will be missed.

Marie Knutson died at the age of 86 at her home in Kenner.

I came to know Marie through my work in covering the New Orleans Saints since 1979. You always knew where you stood with Marie. She left nothing unstated, no stone unturned.

In 1996, Marie received the prestigious Joe Gemelli Fleur de Lis Award from the Saints Hall of Fame for her contributions to the New Orleans Saints and betterment of her efforts for the organization. She was the first woman to receive the honor.

Marie was honored on many fronts, previously honored as Fan of the Year by the Saints through the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Her love of the Saints was unsurpassed.

For many, many years, Marie never missed a game and you had better never say a negative word about the Saints to her.

If you dared go there, you would receive and feel her wrath, as some media members would attest.

For more than two decades, Marie served as president of the New Orleans Saints Booster Club.

Her love of the Saints and passion led us to ask her to join the Board of Directors for the Saints Hall of Fame, which she served faithfully as a significant part of from 1990-2019.

For many years, Marie was our point person for Saints Hall of Fame events, checking patrons in, collecting money and maintaining strong relationships with New Orleans Saints players.

My wife Denise and I drew close to Marie and her wonderful husband, Don.

I made sure that as long as hard copy media guides were published, that she and Don would have one for her collection of Saints memorabilia.

It has been a troubling, terrible, trying week for the family.

Two days before Marie passed away, her nephew, Maurice Joseph Thiberville Jr. passed away as well.

Please keep the entire Knutson and Thiberville family in prayer.

Everything that Marie got involved in, she did so in full fashion. Whenever there was a task to complete, I always felt confident, safe and secure that if Marie was entrusted to fulfill an obligation, it would be done. She was completely trustworthy and dependable.

There are many positive descriptions which describe Marie best.

The one which fits my list perfectly is simply.

Marie was a wonderful friend.

We will miss her.

Here are the details of the visitation and services.

Here are details of visitation and services for Maurice: