Marian Knight

There were many roles which Marian Knight fulfilled including that of a dedicated employee, tender caregiver, and loyal friend, just to name a few, but it were her roles as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that truly brought her joy and contentment.. Marian was no stranger to hard work yet she knew how to have a good time too, flawlessly embracing both the easy and hard times. Marian took each day and made it her own while loving all those within her reach with her kind heart and compassionate spirit. Times during the 1910s looked very different for children in America than they do today as less than ten percent of Americas school-age children actually graduated from high school and they were more commonly found in the work place. When young people did have free time, they were often found to be entertaining themselves with toys like erector sets, tinker toys, and lincoln logs. Also during this time, Fredrick and Elizabeth (Doerr) Smith, of Mecosta, Michigan, were anticipating a change within their family as they were preparing for the birth of another child at any time. They were indeed blessed on August 1, 1915, with the healthy birth of their daughter, Marian Elizabeth. Marian was one of seven children in her family, falling in the middle of the birth order, and was raised primarily by her mother who was a homemaker while her father worked on their farm. Marian grew up in the family home located on the farm itself where her father grew crops and had some dairy cows as well. As a young girl, Marian fostered a strong work ethic as she helped out with the indoor chores while the boys in the family tended to the outdoor work. Marian was of the minority during this generation as she attended Mecosta schools and graduated from Mecosta High School. Faith was established as a cornerstone early in Marians life as her family attended St. Michaels Catholic Church. This faith was monumental in carrying her family through the death of Marians father when she was a teenager. Of great significance during this time was her introduction to a charming young man named EH Knight. Marians sister Helen was dating EHs brother and it wasnt long before Marian and EH had fallen deeply in love and were married on October 9, 1937 at her home parish, St. Michaels. The newlyweds moved in with her mother on the family farm where EH worked in addition to his work on his own familys farm nearby. It wasnt long before the young couple was blessed with the birth of their daughter Elizabeth, who was born in 1938, soon followed by sons Lawrence, in 1939, Richard, in 1941, and Edward, in 1942. During the 1930s, our nation was deeply entrenched in financial hardship due to the Great Depression, which began in late 1929 and continued throughout the thirties, and the Knight family was no exception to this trying time. The farming industry within Michigan was especially hit hard and the effects were felt for many years after the depression ended and as a result, things were tight for Marian and her family. After a time, their family moved to Muskegon in hopes of finding work and they settled in the Muskegon Heights area. EH was blessed to get a job at CWC Foundry and Marian found work at Continental Motors during WWII and then later at the Kershman Company. At times Marian also took in laundry and ironing, chores she truly enjoyed, to earn extra money to help make ends meet. Marian was a dedicated mother who made sure that her children always knew they were unconditionally loved. It was important to her that she passed on her faith to her children so together they attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Although there wasnt money to take glorious vacations, their family did take some camping trips occasionally during the summer. When her children were grown, there were new doors of opportunity that opened for Marian. She worked in food service at Glendale School and she had more time for socializing with her friends at the Muskegon Heights Eagles where she and EH were members and where she was a member of the Womens Auxiliary. EH was plagued by health issues and had to retire early and they eventually moved into a mobile home in Norton Shores Estates. When grandchildren began arriving, Marian spent countless hours baby-sitting them; hours that were of great joy to her as she loved caring for them. With more free time, Marian and EH began camping more and even kept a trailer at Six Lakes, located on the east side of Michigan, where they also hosted their family quite often. During the winter, they traveled to McAllen, Texas and then later to Mission, Texas where they rented a mobile home and established many friendships. In fact, Marian and EH truly enjoyed traveling, often taking trips to Mexico and visiting their snowbird friends during the summers. When EH became limited by his health issues, the couple slowed down and Marian spent her days caring for him for as long as she could until he needed to be moved into a nursing home. Her beloved EH died in 1992, leaving Marian to draw strength from her family and friends during this difficult time. Although deeply saddened, Marian continued embracing her life after EHs death, often playing bingo and visiting the nearby casinos with her daughter. Marian moved into Nomad Trailer Park and was eventually experiencing health challenges of her own, needing triple bypass surgery when she was 80 and she had both of her hips replaced also. Marian was a woman of great strength and determination, however, which carried her through the recovery process and she remained active for as long as she could, especially savoring the time she spent with her family. Whether she was putting in a hard day at work, preparing a meal for her family, or drinking in the laughter of a grandchild, Marian Knight laced her every move with tenderness, compassion, and grace. She sacrificially gave of herself for the betterment of others leaving behind treasured memories which will be cherished by all who knew and loved her. Marian will by deeply missed and fondly remembered. Marian E. Knight died Sunday, May 24, 2009. Marians family includes her sons, Lawrence (Shirley) Knight of CO, Richard (Sue) Knight of AZ; daughter, Elizabeth (Clyde) Bluhm of Muskegon; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Marie Knight of Woodland; sister, Helen Knight of Big Rapids. She was preceded by her son Edward. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Brown officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visit with Marians family and friends on Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon location Muskegon, MI, and also on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Michigan or Sacred Heart Church Building Fund.