Shirley A. (Elekes) McKnight
August 07, 1942 - March 02, 2024
Service: Friday, March 22, 2024, 11:00 a.m.; Devlin Funeral Home, Inc. Ross Twp.
Shirley (Elekes) McKnight, age 81 of McCandless Twp., passed away peacefully at home on March 2, 2024 after a brief illness. Beloved wife to James McKnight for 57 years; Loving mother of Jami McKnight Barnes ( Michael), Sean McKnight and Michael McKnight (Erica). Proud grandmother of Evan Michael Barnes, Riley Logan Barnes, Emma Claire Barnes and Mia Cecelia McKnight. Sister of Ronnie Elekes (Cherrie) and Elaine Alexander. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Louis Elekes Jr.
Shirley was well known in her neighborhood. She was frequently seen by neighbors sitting in her front yard or walking her beloved spaniel, Charlie. She loved her home and family with a fierce devotion. Shirley was rarely seen without a cup of coffee in her hand or her Charlie at her feet. She thrived off of life’s simplicities being perfectly content with spending a day watching the birds by her bird feeders or admiring the garden she and her husband ardently crafted. Shirley was a fiesty woman who could make a grown man cry in Monopoly and was renowned for her spaghetti and meatballs. Her nails were always manicured to perfection despite hours spent making her annual batches of Christmas Mandelbraut and peanut butter blossom cookies. She was loved dearly and will be missed by many.
A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, March 22nd at 11:00 am for both family and friends at DevlinFuneral Home, Inc., 806 Perry Highway, North Hills.
In Lieu of flowers please make a donations to The Salvation Army of Western PA or St. Jude
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My Mom…. she was a one in a million!!! She didn’t have a mother herself to rely on…. she fell in love with a classmate … they created a family and she LOVED her family fiercely… she was FIESTY … she was MINE and I loved her beyond measure!!! She passed away after recently.being diagnosed with cancer. Please hug yours tight….❤️❤️❤️
Aunt Shirley was truly one of a kind. I have so many great memories of our McKnight family holidays together and Aunt Shirley’s smile, laugh and wit are in all of them! Love and continued prayers for all of you❤️
DeeDee will definitely be missed. She had such a big heart. She treated our son Elijah, like he was family from the first moment she met him asking for a hug. I loved her feistiness and that she never met a stranger. The first time I met her at Emma’s graduation, within minutes she made you feel like you had know her all your life time. You could tell how much she loved her husband, children and grandchildren. She was so proud of each of you. I was blessed to have known her, but I know she lives in each one of her family. So continue to shine her light well. Praying for all of you!
I have many found memories of Shirley, especially her devotion to her family and home. She loved to read, she enjoyed hosting picnics and would treat us all to her delicious cooking and baking. Shirley made us all feel so welcome. I remember the good times we had at Pymatuning for a swim and picnics. I remember all the holidays at Josie’s when all the family was together; nieces and nephews. Shirley always brought us petite fours from Dutz Bakery. What I will always remember most is the last time I spoke with Shirley. She was already diagnosed and in the course of our conversation she was making me laugh…..how brave and kind she was. I will treasure our talk with a warm heart and a smile.
My deepest Sympathy to the McKnight family.
Shirley loved her family, especially her beloved grand-daughter Mia Cecelia. Shirley will be missed by many,
Jim, Jami, Sean & Michael so very sorry for your loss. There are so many fond and happy memories of all the picnics, celebrating the holidays and special occasions we all spent together. She was so happy and excited to become a grandmother, Dee Dee. Shirl was so proud of her grandchildren and loved 💕 them so much! She will be missed! ❤️
We are so sorry about the passing of your Mom and as we knew her, DeeDee! She was a wonderful women. She always made us smile and we’ll miss her very much!! All our love and prayers to the family!! ❤️
McKnight Family-I will always remember the fun times at your house. Playing with Jami, swimming, running around the yard, eating ice cream sandwiches. I remember when you took me with you to the circus, fireworks, the zoo. Many happy memories from my childhood were at your house. Mrs. McKnight was so sweet to me especially after my parents died. She kept a lovely home-pretty and always inviting. She will be very missed.
Love,
Annie Tully
We are deeply saddened at the loss of your beloved sister Shirley. I remember her visits to my Mother’s home on 7th street with her sister Elaine so many years ago it now seems. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and her family.
Gerald & Linda Buhi