Events
Our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend returned to the arms of her loving Heavenly Father on July 14th, 2022 after a long battle with Lyme disease and chronic health struggles.
Cynthia Nelson Knight was born on April 11th, 1963, in Salt Lake City, UT. She was the third of five children born to Stanton and Marillyn Nelson. Cynthia had many hobbies and interests during her childhood that she excelled in such as cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and the La Nichees drill team at Skyline High School. She got to be part of the drill team that traveled to Japan and won World and National championships.
Cynthia married Blair Knight in the Salt Lake Temple and they were blessed with four amazing children: Alex, Chelsey, Spencer and Nelson. Her greatest joys were watching her children grow and starting families of their own. She was extremely proud of her children and always took the opportunity to tell people about them. She was blessed with eight beautiful grandchildren who she adored and showered them with gifts, books, and personal letters on birthdays, holidays and often for no reason at all.
Later in life, as a single mother, she chose to pursue a lifelong goal of returning to the University of Utah, where she graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work. The focus of her Master’s Degree was juvenile criminal justice. She was a member of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society. Shortly after receiving her Masters degree she began developing health symptoms that later led to being diagnosed with Lyme Disease. She valiantly fought against her ailments and hardships to try to regain her health and never lost faith that a miracle of healing would occur.
Cynthia loved the outdoors and found peace and solace in nature. Earlier in life she was very active and ran multiple marathons. She loved taking her kids on hikes and spending days at the lake watching her kids waterski and tube behind the boat. When her health made physical activity difficult later in life, she would take drives up Millcreek Canyon.
As a devout and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cynthia ministered and touched the lives of those that she came into contact with. Even though she faced many trials, her faith in her Savior Jesus Christ never wavered. Some of her favorite callings were serving as Primary first counselor and Young Womens President. One of her greatest joys was having her three sons serve full-time missions. She was also very active in service in her community. While all four of her children were attending Crestview Elementary, she served as the PTA President. Later in life, while battling her own ailments she found the strength to serve and be the primary caretaker of her parents until the end of their lives.
Cynthia is survived by her four children: Alex (Emily) Knight, Chelsey (Corey) Neilson, Spencer (Abbie) Knight, and Nelson (Sadie) Knight; her grandchildren: Jackson, Garrett, Isla, Scarlett, Weston, Ivy, Owen, and Hudson; her brothers: Brian (Mirin) Nelson, Lance Nelson, and Greg Nelson; brother-in-law Marv Procter and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Stanton and Marillyn Nelson, her sister Denise Procter, and sister-in-law Janette Nelson.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM, at the Olympus 4th Ward, 2675 E. 4430 S., Holladay, Utah. A viewing will be held at the same location Wednesday, July 20, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM and on Thursday July 21, 2022 from 9:00 – 10:30 AM. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
For those who wish to view the recording of the services may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/jqX9iPzd2jSFufBSg0jkHrN6M4V8o4G680cgPZvrSCaS_B6Iu1r-mvAP4wdQ-I-e.eno_OvnymLqWwNJu?startTime=1658421268000
Services can be viewed for 30 days.
Guestbook/Condolences
I am so sorry. Such a shock! I hope you can all find some comfort and peace. She was surely greeted by her Mom, Dad, and is happy to be out of her earthly struggles. We have and will be praying for all of you.
So much love to the Nelson and Knight family. I still have my favorite doll named after my favorite babysitter, Cynthia. ❤️
We are so sorry for your loss. She was an amazing women.
So sorry to hear about the loss of an amazing human. She always held a special place in my heart for the role she played in my life personally. I wish the family all the best!
The knowledge of a great reunion with her parents and other family members brings me joy at this sad time of her passing. I consider Cynthia a great friend even though it has been years since we have connected. Growing up with her was a blessing for me.
Condolences to Cynthia's family and friends.
To the Beautiful Knight Family…
It was such a pleasure to live across the street from you on Marwood and watch you all grow up. I loved your Mother. Cynthia was full of such goodness and light. I will always cherish the fond memories I have of her and you all. I loved her dearly. My heart is so saddened by her passing. She will be missed for she was my dear friend. Love to you all.
-Shauna
It was an honor to know Cynthia. I'm grateful God brought her into my life for a short span when we lived nearby. My prayers are with her family and her most beloved children and grandchildren.
Alex,
Mothers can never be replaced and you would not want one to try to fill that heavenly of you mother in your soul forever. She has always seemed the perfect mother to others. And other children she will always be perfect.
My first impression of your mother was that of how young and beautiful she looks.
In the next few weeks and even months when you think of some funny or beautiful happening with you and your family. WRITE IT DOWN IN JOURNAL FORM . And when your kids grow up you will have some choice recollections of your loving Mother. Keeping her memory alive seems to fall on the older members of the family.
This granny loves you and your sweet family and we will ALL love each other and be together forever.
What a classy lady please know that she was so loved by our family she had a great influence over our daughters she will never be forgotten our condolences and love to all the family ❤️
Cynthia you were one of the few truly wonderful people in this world and now heaven is a better place to be.
You were such a great friend to me and so glad your physical pains are finished and you are surrounded by family and friends and I can’t wait to see you there myself and give you a hug.
I was privileged to be the pediatrician for the Knight family and have great memories of Cynthia and her children. She was such a fun Mom who was dedicated to her children. I loved to see them and interact with all of them. Kids, you have had a great mother who always had your interest in mind. I’m very sad to see that she has passed. I was very lucky to have been able to share time, advice, and friendship with such a great lady. My best wishes go out to her children and the grandchildren that I never met. God bless you all.
Dr. Fox, Bryner Clinic.
What a beautiful tribute you all gave to your mother today. She influenced so many of the young women when she was YW President. I was fortunate to work with her for girls camp and I depended on her because of the relationship she had with the girls that I did not have. You are lucky to call her mom and grandma. Many special gifts she left in your hearts. Beautiful person that she was.
Denise Jones
What a wonderful picture of Cynthia with her 8 grandchildren. My condolences to her family.
I am so sad to hear about Cynthia! She was so kind to me and my family when we lived by them in Holladay. We had a lot of fun times together. Prayers to her family!
Lisa Fox
I am so sad to have learned about the passing of Cynthia. She was a true friend in High School and was truly one of a kind. My condolences for her family, I am sure she will be missed.
Miss you Doll, until we meet again - all our love!