Mary Elizabeth (Sandy) Knight died on Jan. 26, 2012, at her home at Maple Ridge in Freeland.
Sandy was born on Nov. 6, 1913, in Fairmont, W.VA to Vivian and Harry Sturm, the oldest of five children. She attended Fairmont public schools and Fairmont State College. In 1933 she eloped with Albert Knight, her high school sweetheart. They had celebrated 67 years of marriage when Al died in 2000.
Sandy and Al lived and raised a family in Pittsburgh, PA, and Westfield, NJ, where Al worked as an engineer for Exxon. In Westfield, she served on the board of the YWCA for many years. When her children were grown, she worked for several years as a secretary. After a brief period of early retirement in Cary, NC, where Al taught at Holding Tech, they moved to Sequim in 1974. Sandy was an active community member there, enjoying bridge, art classes, clog dancing, and local service club activity. She and Al traveled extensively in RV’s across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, visiting and making many new friends along the way.
They moved to Whidbey Island in 1996 to be near family. They enjoyed living in the heart of Langley and participating in Bayview Senior Center activities, especially dancing to the music of the Fun Band. Sandy again was active in the community, playing bridge, taking art classes and creating paintings which the family treasures, and volunteering at WICA and Brookhaven. In 2007 she became a charter resident of Maple Ridge Assisted Living.
Sandy is survived by her sister Helen of Gainesville, GA; two daughters, Nancy Clarke of Ellensburg and Sue Haworth (Dave) of Freeland; grandchildren, Lauren (Steven) Lake, Dave Haworth, Jr., and Kristin Haworth (Patrick Sutton), Colleen Applin, Sean (Nichole) Clarke, and Erin Clarke; and great grandchildren, Sam and Joel Applin, Prestin Haworth, and Emily Clarke.
Sandy was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, a truly loved beautiful lady with a sparkle that made it a pleasure to be in her company. She will be missed by all.
The family sends special thanks to the loving caregivers from the Maple Ridge and Island Home Health Care.
A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held Sat., Feb. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at Maple Ridge Assisted Living, 1767 Alliance Ave. in Freeland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bayview Senior Center 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260.
