Once Amy Knapp found out what she loved, she stuck with it.

Dr. Knapp started working for the University of Pittsburgh library system as a college freshman and never left, becoming a respected assistant librarian and beloved adjunct professor in the library science department.

Dr. Knapp, of Bloomfield, died Saturday after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 46.

Growing up in Titusville, Crawford County, Dr. Knapp was fiercely independent, while keeping constant watch over her younger brothers.

"She was the boss," said brother Howard L. "Cubby" Knapp IV, who, along with the rest of the family, still lives in Titusville.

"Nobody ever won an argument against her. But she never raised her voice. I've never seen anything like it. She would drive teachers nuts. She would win any argument against any teacher."

Her peers voted her most likely to succeed when she graduated from Titusville Area High School in 1980, and her teachers -- recognizing her sharp wit -- pushed Dr. Knapp toward a career in law. She had dreams of being a lawyer when she started at the University of Pittsburgh's Titusville campus, but her freshman year she fell in love with libraries.

Dr. Knapp moved to the main Pitt campus and graduated in 1984, later earning a pair of master's degrees and a doctorate in library science. She earned every degree from Pitt, all the while working as a librarian.

"She could have done anything -- she had that kind of brain," said Rush Miller, the director of the university library system and a close friend, who promoted Dr. Knapp to assistant director in 2002.

"She was in it for the right reasons. She became a librarian because she believed in it. She believed in service. She believed in helping people. It was not for the money."

Even as an adjunct professor -- doing library work full time in addition to teaching -- Dr. Knapp earned the highest ratings from students. They appreciated her positive nature and gentle, constructive criticisms.

Outside of work, Dr. Knapp was a movie buff who loved to travel, visiting six continents. She was heavily involved in community service in Bloomfield, and every Thanksgiving and Christmas, she would serve meals at soup kitchens.

She never married or had children, but Dr. Knapp doted on her niece and nephews during her frequent trips back to Titusville.

"She bought them way too much stuff," Mr. Knapp said, in addition to taking them on trips and hosting them in the city during breaks from school.

In May 2007, doctors diagnosed Dr. Knapp with colon cancer that had spread to her liver and lungs. She started chemotherapy but kept in high spirits, even returning to work from January to early May. During that time she carried her weight, Dr. Miller said, leading several big projects.

Defying her weakening condition, Dr. Knapp took her niece, Molly, on a trip to London a few weeks ago to celebrate her graduation from high school. A few days after returning from the trip, Dr. Knapp checked into the hospital for the last time.

In addition to her brother, Dr. Knapp is survived by her father, Howard L. "Cub" Knapp III, and stepmother, Pamela Knapp; another brother, Daniel; and four stepbrothers, Aaron Beach, Shawn Beach, Chad Beach and Scott Beach, all of Titusville.

The family will receive friends at Bethel United Methodist Church, 15068 State Highway 89, Titusville, Saturday at 10 a.m., with a memorial service there at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Titusville, with a dinner to follow.

Dr. Miller said the library and information science department also is planning a vigil on the Pitt campus.