Mary Lee Knights, of Knowlesville, NY, entered into rest on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Providence Regional Hospital in Everett, WA.
Born October 27, 1944, in Tupper Lake, NY, she was the only child of the late Louis and Frances (McDonald) Gourd and stepfather, Joseph “Corky” Arsenault. Mary Lee was a graduate of Tupper Lake High School, Class of 1962 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam and her master’s from The Ohio State University in 1969. On August 19, 1972, she married the late Kenneth E. Knights. Together they raised a family of three children on Kniland Dairy Farms in Knowlesville. They were well known for growing and selling giant pumpkins every fall.
Mary Lee began her career as a guidance counselor and teacher for the Medina Central School District. Later, she and the late Marlene Maier co-founded Kniland Nursery School, where she helped nurture young minds in their earliest years. Once her children were in grade school, she worked part-time at the Medicine Shoppe before becoming the Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Mary’s Parish in Medina. She also worked for BOCES and played a pivotal role in OCALS as a charter board member, where she served as past president, tutor, tutor trainer, GED tester, and evaluator. In 2023, her dedication to literacy was recognized when she received the OCALS Lighting the Way to Learning Award. A woman of deep faith, she was a devoted parishioner in all aspects of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Church in Medina.
Mary Lee was known by those close to her as a “professional volunteer,” always ready to lend a hand or support to whomever needed it. She was active in the Medina Jayncees, Sweet Adelines barbershop quartet, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority (since 1986), Catholic Daughters in both Medina, NY and Everett, WA, and was a member of St. Mary’s Choir. A lifelong lover of swimming, she was a lifeguard in her youth, and in the 1980’s, led a successful fundraising campaign as YMCA president to establish the Lake Plains School pool. She also played a key role in organizing the annual Medina Canal Festival as a committee member. Mary Lee found joy in music, her family, community, and the friendships she built through her many activities.
Her warmth extended to all living beings, especially animals, and she always had a canine companion by her side. In recent years, her beloved dog, Jessie, was her constant and devoted friend.
Mary Lee was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth, in 2021 and her dear aunt, Eileen “Nee Nee” Trombley, in 2019. Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Chad (Randi) Knights of VA, Laura (Sean) Knights Riley and Fran (Stuart) Knights Sabin, both of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren, Skylar and Emerson Knights, Joseph and Kate Riley; and two sisters in-law, Kathryn Knights of Buffalo and Barbara Clark of Medina. She is also remembered with love by many dear friends who became like family, sharing in the joy of her life and the kindness she so freely gave.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 6 from 4-7PM at Cooper Funeral Home, 215 W. Center St., Medina. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 7 at 11AM at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Mary’s Church, 211 Eagle St., Medina. Interment will be in Mt. Albion Cemetery, Albion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Medina Scholarship Fund, PO Box 185, Medina, NY 14103 or to PAWS, 3371 Gaines Basin Rd., Albion, NY 14411. Share condolences at www.cooperfuneralhome.com.
