Vivian Stephens Mcknight

Vivian Stephens McKnight, RN 1926-2021 Vivian Stephens “Stevie” McKnight, 94, passed away peacefully on February 12th at The Wellington Estates in Spring Lake NJ. Born Vivian Muriel Stephens on April 17,1926 in Harriman NY, “Stevie” grew up in Trenton NJ during the Great Depression. After the dissolution of her parents’ marriage, she and her siblings spent their childhoods in foster and orphanage care. She considered herself a survivor of the foster care system. Mrs. McKnight was a 1944 graduate of Trenton Central High School where she was a proud member of the Red Team. She moved to the Shore when she enlisted in the US Navy Nurse Cadet Corps at Ann May School of Nursing, Neptune. Through a friendship with a classmate, she met her husband after he returned from naval duty in North Africa in December of 1945. She received her nursing diploma, then worked as a registered nurse in obstetrics until 1962 at Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Neptune NJ. As a child she vividly remembered the evening that Orson Wells’ radio program “War of the Worlds” was broadcast. She lived close to Grover’s Mill Pond where the play was set and recalled that the panic in the area was palpable. She also spoke of Albert Einstein, who was a neighbor while he was working at Princeton University. She said he hunched over the steering wheel of his car, was a terrible driver, and that his hair was as wild as it is depicted on his famous poster. When her daughters were young, Stevie was active in Girl Scouting, served two PTAs as president, was president of Independent Fire Company #1 Ladies’ Auxiliary, dabbled in local politics, and assisted her husband in the family plumbing and heating business. She was instrumental in forming a softball league so that her girls and their friends would have their own version of Little League and enjoyed square dancing with the Hi-Tiders Square Dance Club. She had a tremendous sense of humor and a lovely singing voice. Her doors were always open and neighborhood children loved to play in her big side yard. Her daughters remember an immaculate home filled with music and fun. Her grandchildren remember a youthful grandmother who was loving and kind. She and her husband, Bob, exemplified commitment to public service and volunteerism, a trait their daughters embraced. Mrs. McKnight was a member of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, Spring Lake NJ, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Texas Chapter HX, and The Classie Lassies Red Hat Society in The Woodlands. For many years, Stevie enjoyed summers at her shore home and warm winter months in Texas or Florida before returning permanently to NJ in 2015. She loved all holidays, especially Christmas, reading, shopping, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She took all of her grandchildren on their first roller coaster rides in Point Pleasant Beach and later accompanied them on Space Mountain and The Runaway Train at Disney World. Mrs. McKnight was pre-deceased by her devoted and loving husband of 50 years, Robert McKnight, a son in-law William T. Benham, her parents, Essley Stephens and Alice Cornelius, brothers Walter Stephens and Joseph Asero, two sisters, Maude Stephens, and Florence Stephens Manning. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara McKnight Benham, The Woodlands, TX and Mary Beth McKnight (Elwood Malick) Spring Lake Heights, NJ, her sister in-law Barbara Asero, Scotch Plains NJ, her brother in-law James Manning, Neptune NJ, and several nieces and nephews. Five grandchildren also survive her: William T. Benham (April), California MD, Daniel R. Laing (Kristen), Greer, SC, John M. Benham, (Jonathan Klein) Houston TX, Thomas E. Laing(Katrina Bethke), Avon-by-the Sea NJ and Anne Benham Willson (David) Memphis TN. Her seven great-grandchildren Olivia and Ethan Benham, Parker and Emma Laing and Margaret, Eleanor and Gus Willson will miss Old Nan. Jersey Shore Cremation Service, Manasquan, is in charge of arrangements. The family wishes to thank The Wellington and Serenity Hospice for their loving care of Stevie. Graveside services and private committal will be held in Atlantic View Cemetery, Manasquan NJ under the direction of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church. Memorials in Mrs. McKnight’s name may be made to St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, 907 Fourth Avenue, Spring Lake NJ 07762.