Barbara Jean Knight passed away peacefully at her home July 6, 2022.
Barbara was born June 16, 1936. She was surrounded by her loving family and caring parents Gene and Tella Mae Cahoon. When she was 10 years old her beloved father Gene passed away. She remembers changing schools many times and recalls when Tella Mae paid a sum of money to have the house that Gene built moved from Bountiful to Provo to be closer to her family for support and help.
In Provo, Tella Mae married Glenn J Bethers who formally adopted Barbara. She was surrounded with a large, loving family of aunt, uncles, and cousins.
Barbara met the love of her life, Neal Eugene Knight. They were married on October 25, 1954, for sixty-seven years as happy companions and had four children Keith (Gwen), Dolores (Jay), Blane (Julie), Linda (Denys).
They made a great team and worked hard to build their family and life together.
As a wife and mother Barbara made her house a home and took great effort managing all the tasks required to do so.
As her children grew Barbara had a successful working career in many different industries. She was accomplished in Gregg Shorthand and earned a business certificate at the U of U. She became proficient in the use and application of Data Processing Equipment often streamlining and removing redundancy in the work environment. She worked for Rocky Mountain Bank Note, Salt Lake Hardware, Reliance Insurance.
She pursued a career at Capitol Records in leading her branch to excellence. She has a gift in her attention to detail and in her ability to connect the clients in the music industry. Through her vision and work ethic, Capitol Records offered her a career in California. She was honored for the opportunity.
She and Neal considered all options and decided they desired that Salt Lake Valley would be the home for their family.
She worked for Mountain Bell/U S West Telephone Company for 19 years and retired in 1996.
She had the ability to make good judgements and sound decisions. Barbara’s abilities in the public workforce and ability to navigate through the business world. Her knowing how to ask relevant and respectful questions and quick wit during the interviews with customers.
She had a golden gift of seeing the strength and good in people, which created lasting friendships with many people over the years.
All these skills helped Barbara and Neal build a successful business.
After her children were raised Barbara and Neal enjoyed visiting the “roads less traveled”. One such adventure was a boat ride down the Nile River in Egypt where they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with newfound friends. She loved to share the stories and memories of the people and places they visited.
The family would like to thank Hospice for the many hours of service to help Barbara be comfortable. We thank Larkin Mortuary for the kind and respectful service they have provided. Also, the many family and friends who have spent countless hours helping and providing service.
A special thanks to Dolores Smith for her 24-hour devoted care over the past several weeks of taking care of her mother with Neal in her time of need.
Viewing will be on Friday, July 22, 2022, from 9:00 through 10:45 am at Larkin Mortuary (260 E South Temple) with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 am. Graveside service at Salt Lake Cemetery (200 N St E).
To vie the recorded services please select the following link:https://youtu.be/_a1wvL8Knu8
Blane & Knight Family,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of your dear Mom. I remember her from when Blane & I worked together at Mountain Bell. She was such a sweet person! Please know that you are each in our prayers.
We loved and appreciated our mom, Barbara. She set a wonderful example of being a supportive wife, a hard worker, and a devoted mom and grandmother.
She was a wonderful cook. She was famous for her delicious pancakes, cookies and tapioca. We appreciated all the meals she prepared and shared with us. She took time to make yummy treats to share at special occasions and she always made extra so we could continue to enjoy them even after we returned home.
Mom was a wiz at pinball. We all loved to play Fun House as a family with her. The entire family would gather around the machine and spend hours laughing as we would try to top her score!
She would make holidays special. Her Christmas trees were always decorated beautifully and she would painstakingly adorn them with icicles.
Mom also enjoyed music. She would play her records on her record player so we could enjoy them too. The Kingston Trio was one of her favorites.
She was so excited to receive a beautiful grandfather’s clock when she retired from the phone company. This was a well-deserved gift. She truly was a talented, reliable and dedicated employee at the same time making her husband, children and grandchildren her first priority. An example of her dedication included typing records and keeping a history of scouting including pictures. This is a cherished keepsake.
Mom, you have truly inspired us through your example to work together as a team and to be supportive spouses! Thank you for your love. We miss you terribly, but we have faith we will be reunited again and look forward to that day!
Keith and Gwen