It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Yvonne Knight, a long-time resident of Meaford, Ontario, on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the age of 95.
Yvonne was born on March 1, 1930 in Michigan to the late Roy Eagles and Hazel (Patterson) Eagles and was raised in Meaford from the age of 2.
Yvonne was predeceased by her beloved husband Victor Knight in 1997 and eldest child Eric in 2016.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Sherrill (Ian), Kevin (Bonnie), and Paul (Tracy), and daughter-in-law Janice. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will live on in the love she had for her children.
Yvonne will be sadly missed by her ten grandchildren and her great-grandchildren: Darryl Goudy (Sharon) and their children Erica and Eryn, Dayna Barr Goudy, Haylee Knight (Steven), Bronwyn Knight, Chase Knight, Jeremiah Knight (Candice) and their children Olivia and Wyatt, Sydney Knight (Geordie) and their children Rylee and Maizie, and Eric’s children from his first marriage, Jeffrey, Aaron, and Kelly Knight and their children.
Yvonne is also survived by her brother, Ray Eagles (late Sheila) of Meaford and his children Marina Eagles and Darren Eagles (Patti) and their children. Aunt Yvonne will be fondly remembered by her many nieces and nephews in the Knight family.
Yvonne was married to Vic in November 1948, and like most women of her generation, her career was as a homemaker except for a brief stint as a Bell operator before the kids came along, in the days of a manual switchboard and 3-digit numbers in the Meaford exchange. She continued to meet for lunch regularly for many years with her Bell colleagues.
Mom loved her sports, bowling in younger years, curling, and golfing, well into her 70s. Sports were reserved to TV in later years – golf, curling, and tennis. And of course, she loved the Blue Jays, most of the games the last few years viewed the next morning on ‘The Jays in 30’ because the games usually went on past her bedtime.
The Kin-family was extremely important to Mom and Dad, being involved with Kinsmen, K40 and K-ettes since the ’60s. Mom continued to enjoy monthly luncheons with her many K-ette friends including this year, thanks to her closest friend Charlene Ryan.
Mom and Dad were avid boaters, docking their boat “Vonnie” at the Meaford Harbour for many years and taking annual trips around Georgian Bay and into Lake Huron. Mom loved to travel and after the kids left home enjoyed cruises and trips to many different destinations.
Mom loved being at Christie Beach, watching the swans swim by and the birds at the feeder, or the beautiful sunsets. She especially enjoyed visits by the many neighbours so she could share her stories.
Along with Dad, Mom did some acting with the Town Hall Players and the Laughing Water Festival during the ’70s and ’80s. They welcomed several of the travelling actors to their home and hosted many great wrap-up parties at their home and at the cottage. Mom was always there to support Dad in all his community involvements as well as his responsibilities at the family business, Stanley Knight Limited.
Mom moved to Central Place Retirement Community in Owen Sound, just a few weeks before Covid shut down the world in 2020. Although not keen on the idea, because she didn’t like change, it proved to be a place where she was happy and felt comfortable and safe.
A private funeral service will be conducted at the Meaford United Church with an interment to follow at the Lakeview Cemetery in Meaford.
As an expression of sympathy donations to the Meaford Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by the family and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON, N4L 1B9, to whom arrangements have been entrusted.
