Mary Evelyn Knight

Mary Evelyn Knight, a deeply cherished mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on October 11, 2026, at the age of 85. Born at home during World War II on March 26, 1941, in the charming town of Versailles, Ohio, Mary was the eldest of seven children born to Pete and Dorothy (McEldowney) Mangen. A large part of her childhood was spent in a country farmhouse, a testament to resilience and simplicity, where she flourished amidst the challenges of life without modern conveniences. For a period of time there was no electricity, no indoor plumbing and no telephone, the siblings had to be inventive and adventurous creating many stories along the way. Mary reminisced about her childhood with so many wonderful memories and often spoke fondly about a special Aunt, Pauline.

Mary prayed to God everyday and was compassionate. Mary's life was marked by her unwavering commitment to care and nurture. She dedicated decades of her life to serving as a Psychiatric Nurse at the former Dayton Mental Health Center. It was here that she found her calling, providing compassionate care to vulnerable patients, treating each with dignity and respect. Her selfless devotion to her profession left an unforgettable mark on all who had the privilege of working alongside her.

Mary married the love of her life, Jerry Knight. Together, they built a life filled with hard work and love raising their family in Beavercreek, Ohio. Their union, which spanned nearly four decades, was blessed with three children: Eric, Rachel, and the late Jay. In younger years Mary had a love for travel, and the mountains were a particularly cherished destination, offering serenity and joy.

Mary's legacy lives on through her children, Eric Knight (Ruth) and Rachel Toney (Shad), and her grandchildren, Shad Toney Junior (Melissa), Austin Toney, Troy Toney, Alec Toney, and her great-granddaughter, Teagan Toney. Her family was her pride and joy, and she poured her heart into every moment spent with them. Her sisters Vickie (Ted) and Janice (John), brothers Ed (Sandy), Bill (Anne), Bob (Jan) and Jeff, along with her sister-in-law Karen Reaver and her many nieces and nephews will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

Mary's life was a testament to strength and resilience, qualities she conveyed to her family through words and deeds. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Jerry, and her loving son, Jay, both of whom she deeply missed.

A Celebration of Mary's life will be held on Saturday November 21, 2026 (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM) at Oak Creek Church, located at 4800 Bigger Road, Kettering, Ohio 45440. Reception starting at 12:00 PM and Pastor Brian Gibboney will be officiating a service at 1:30 PM. Her family extends a special message to honor her life: "Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them."

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Mary's memory to a charity of your choice, reflecting her lifelong commitment to care and compassion. Mary's strength, love, and spirit will forever be etched in the hearts of those who loved her.