Obituary of JEAN LAURA KNIGHT

JEAN LAURA KNIGHT (nee VERMEULEN)

On May 17, 2021, a beloved wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Riverview Health Care Centre. Jean will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her daughters Jan (Chris), Sandy (Byron), and Carol (Jon), her grandchildren Michael (Melissa), Catherine, Kaylee (Christopher), Andrew, Tyler, Jack (Leah), and Annika, and her great grandchildren Carter, Serena, Logan, Emmett, and Emily. She is also survived by her aunt Irene Vermeulen. Jean will also be missed by numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom she had a special relationship with. Jean was predeceased by the love of her life, Allan Knight (2009) and by her son David, as well as her great grandson Kaysen, her sisters Darlene Vermeulen and Irene Blake (Donald), and her parents Gaston Vermeulen and Adrienne Maes (Alphonse).

Jean was born at St Boniface Hospital on July 7, 1933 and grew up in Fort Garry along with a large extended family. She entered the workforce at an early age and often recounted the memories and good friendships she developed while working at Eaton’s downtown. Jean and Allan were married on June 4, 1955, starting a new chapter in her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Jean was an avid gardener, seamstress and knitter.  As young girls, her daughters always had matching dresses that she had made. When the grandchildren came along, she loved to knit them hats, mitts and sweaters. She was a model of compassion and generosity and she loved a good prank.  Jean’s service extended well beyond her family: she was a long-standing member of the Catholic Woman’s League, and she spent countless hours mentoring adults with intellectual disabilities and volunteering at the local foodbank.

During the hot Manitoba summers, Jean loved spending time at Victoria Beach. Whether it was time on the beach or golf course, or in the trails picking berries, it was all time well spent. She lived life to the fullest and had a wide circle of friends—many of whom were members of her parish, Mary Mother of the Church. In her later years, she developed a travel bug: she made frequent trips to see family, and she loved cruising and experiencing new places. 

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of Riverview Health Care Centre. Thank you for your dedication. We feel so fortunate that you were on Jean’s care team. We are so grateful for your compassion and kindness. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Noelle Tayfel for the many years of companionship and friendship you provided to Jean. We know that it meant so much to her.

If friends so wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to your local food bank.

We are honouring Mom’s wishes with a private interment and we will have a celebration of life at a later date.