Madison Jolene Knight, 2005 - 2018


Madison Jolene Knight, 12, of Belmont, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at her family home on February 15, 2018 from brain cancer. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 16, 2005 to Kurtis Lee and Jennifer Jolene Rockwood Knight.



Madi loved being with her family. She was a leader in the family, a devoted and kind sister to her siblings, and will be deeply missed by them. The highlight of her life was going on family trips with her aunts, uncles and cousins, visiting family in Utah, and attending “Cousin’s Camp” at her grandma’s home in Indiana every summer. She developed very strong eternal bonds with her cousins and other family members during these family vacations and spent hundreds of hours looking at scrapbooks about the family events.

Madison loved the Arts. She played piano, cello, and ukulele and had a beautiful singing voice. She played Princess Aurora in the town’s production of Sleeping Beauty and then Gabriella in their production of High School Musical.  She loved to sing at church and family events and talent shows.  Madi received her own sewing machine at an early age and loved to sew doll clothing, pillows and other creations as gifts for her friends and family.  She taught herself to knit and crochet and loved making scarves and other items for her dolls and beloved stuffed animals. She was also a talented artist, budding photographer, and a gifted writer and started writing and illustrating creative picture books at the age of 3.

Madi attended elementary school at the Mary Lee Burbank School, and was in the middle of her 7th grade year at Chenery Middle School. She had a sharp intellect and received top grades in school. She had an inquiring and logical mind and loved to explore new things. Her favorite subject in school was Latin, and in her spare time, she was learning French and German online.

Madi was an avid reader. She would often devour one or two books a day.  She loved fantasy, especially the Land of Stories Series, anything by Gail Carson Levine, and of course, the Harry Potter Series (she read all 7 books before she completed second grade).  Harry Potter was by far her favorite series and she was completing the 13th iteration of the audio books when she passed away.  She was an expert in Harry Potter trivia. Her dream was to visit Ollivander’s Wand Shop and have a wand choose her at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios.  This dream came true when she was awarded a special trip by the Make-A-Wish foundation just a month before her death.

She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and active in the youth (Young Women) program. She loved to perform family history work for her ancestors in the Boston Massachusetts Temple, attend weekly church youth activities, summer girl’s camp and was actively working on her Young Woman Personal Progress award, working toward achieving her Young Womanhood Medallion. She had very close friendships with the other young women in her ward as well as her close group of friends at school.

Her loss is felt deeply by all who knew her. Madi will be remembered lovingly for her many kindnesses, her loyalty to family and friends, her wonderful sense of humor and quick wit, her extraordinary intelligence, her beautiful singing voice, her deep spirituality, her constant desire to make correct choices, serve others and live her life as a true daughter of God, and especially her faith and devout love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In addition to her parents, Madison is survived by four siblings, Maxwell, Rebecca, William, and Annabeth, grandparents, Kenneth and Shari Knight (Spanish Fork, Utah), grandmother Jolene Rockwood (Batesville, Indiana), step-grandfather D. Page Busken, (Cincinnati, Ohio); 21 aunts and uncles, and 35 cousins.  Her maternal grandfather, Frederick Rockwood and her brother Frederick Kenneth Knight preceded her in death.

A visitation will be held at the Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 125 N Sandrun Rd in Salt Lake City. Burial will be in the Rockwood family plot in the Salt Lake City Cemetery after the service on Wednesday.

A memorial service will also be held in the Boston area on Monday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 65 Binney St, Cambridge, MA.  There will be a visitation before the service from 5- 6:45 p.m. in the same location. PLEASE NOTE: Limited parking is available at 65 Binney St. Addititonal parking available at 50 Binney St.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made, in honor of Madison Knight, to the Massachusetts General Hospital Division of Pediatric Oncology at https://giving.massgeneral.org/children/donate/, or to the Humanitarian Services Division of LDS Philanthropies, at https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services

Comments

Andrea J said…
She did so much with her too short time. What a wonderful life she chose.
Aubrey said…
My heart is just broken. I'm so sorry for this beautiful soul to be taken from the Earth much too soon.
Alicia said…
Dear, dear Jenn. I have thought of you and your whole family today. What a beautiful, special soul she was and a light in this world. Prayers and so much love sent your way.
Christian and Katie Robinson said…
We were in your ward in Cambridge back in 2006. Stumbled across this post on Facebook. So incredibly sorry for the loss of your sweet angel. My heart breaks for your family. You all are in our prayers. I have enjoyed reading your blog and hearing you bear such a sweet testimony of our Savior and the gospel through your trials. I pray that you will find peace and strength as you move forward. ❤️
Anonymous said…
She touched my heart with her sweetness. So very sorry for your loss. She will not be forgotten.
melimba said…
I’m Emily Snyder’s sister and she would send me updates on your sweet family. The stories of your family, and especially of your beautiful daughter, touched my heart deeply. What an amazing life she led! She’s inspired me to do more and be more. Sending prayers of comfort and love to you all. ♥️♥️♥️
Unknown said…
Your faith during these dark days is an inspiration to me and I know so many others. I know the Good Shepherd is leading you through. Much love.
Pam E. said…
Dearest Knights, every tear shed for your dear Madi and each of you is a prayer of love sent in your behalf - surely, they number in the millions. Thank you for your faith and courage, and for sharing your difficult journey so others can learn through your experience. Your expressions of humble faith in the face of such adversity have increased my faith and helped me to feel greater love and gratitude for the grace of our Savior. It is amazing how Madi, in so few years, was able to accomplish so much, in developing her testimony and her talents. It is comforting to picture her surrounded by her loving family on the other side of the veil, continuing her progress in a place of light and joy. Praying for your comfort and peace as you go forward, and that your angels will continue to surround you. Sending love to all of you,
Kass said…
What a privilege to be able to attend Madi's funeral in Salt Lake. I don't know about the rest of the congregation, but I felt I was lifted a couple of feet off the ground. The image I have at these words will forever stand in my mind, "And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song, with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah," - especially Madi lifting her head to heaven with utter conviction.

I have so enjoyed reading your blog. Blessings on you and your family as the angels attend you.

Your mother's friend, Kathy
Unknown said…
Kurt and Jenn
Jerry and I are so very sorry for your loss. Although I have never met your daughter, I feel like I know her. It has been a privilege to read Jenn's blog and feel the spirit she has.
Kurt: You,Jenn and your sweet Madi have been an inspiration to all who have been able to follow your family through the blog. May you feel the sweet spirit of our Heavenly Father as you travel through this time of sorrow in your life. We love you and your family.
Nancy & Jerry Otte
Kristin said…
Thank you, Knights, for sharing these moments with us through your blog. Although many of us never had the privilege of knowing Madi in this life, we have been blessed to know her through you. Thinking of you often and praying for your peace and comfort.
Julie said…
Dear Knight family; Jennifer and Kurt,
I’ve wondered how you and little Madi were holding up. I am heartbroken tonight to learn of Madi’s passing. So truly sorry for your loss. You will continue to be in my prayers. 💕

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