A Legacy Nurturing Love and Respect Comes to a Close

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“Sharing is caring.” “Hands are not for hitting.” “The only thing we bite is food.”

These are among the memorable aphorisms recounted by about 200 former students and guests at a send-off party for pre-school owner Heidi Knoff, who retired last month after 42 years as a South Laguna institution.

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“I’m stunned. Everyone came. I must have done something right,” said Knoff from the stage of the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club.

Known universally as Miss Heidi to her charges, Knoff opened her South Laguna home on a eucalyptus tree-lined, dead-end street for child care in 1972. Her reputation grew over the decades. She was known for filling her home with music, laughter and dancing, according to Anne McGraw, who in 1999 resorted to sending Knoff ultra-sound pictures of her pregnancy and later newborn baby pictures in order to secure a slot at the booked-full pre-school.

What attracted McGraw was less the school’s focus on reading and writing, but its emphasis on civility. “Being a good human being, using your best manners, caring and respect,” said McGraw, are the tenets that underpin Knoff’s instruction. McGraw’s daughter, Annika, now 16, ultimately did secure a spot.

 

Heidi Knoff receives hugs and flowers at her retirement party at the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club after operating a pre-school for four decades. Photo by Marilynn Young
Heidi Knoff receives hugs and flowers at her retirement party at the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club after operating a pre-school for four decades. Photo by Marilynn Young

“It’s hard to believe it’s over because it’s not; Heidi is just going to live forever in all the children she’s taught,” said Knoff’s daughter, Alexandria, through tears. “You helped to change the world by every life you touched.”

Alexandria Knoff will take over the role her mother nurtured at the pre-school.

At the party, a glass bowl filled with notes from former students who offered their own advice to one of their earliest role models. One read, “Dear Miss Heidi, Explore the World! Travel to Hawaii and go snorkeling. Also, go on a zip-line in the rain forest. Love, Ariana M.”

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