Mary Sheldrick Knight

Mary Frances Sheldrick Knight, age 83, peacefully passed away on July 12, 2024, at her home in Stevensville, Maryland. Mary is survived by her three children and their spouses: Christopher Joseph Knight (Martha), Maryann Knight Jones (Edward), and Katherine Knight Kania (Raymond); along with her three grandchildren and spouse: Kailee Knight Bull (Trevor), Edward Francis Jones III, and Katelyn Sheldrick Jones; her great-grandson Malcolm James Bull, niece Kimberly Joy Knight, and nephew and spouse, Kenneth James Knight (Deborah). She is preceded in death by her parents, Joesph Sylvester Sheldrick and Catherine Hackendorn Sheldrick, and her sister, Ann Cecilla Sheldrick of Wilmington, Delaware. Mary was born on December 22, 1940, in Wilmington, Delaware. She graduated from Alexis I. Dupont High School in June 1958, and from Wilmington General Hospital School of Nursing in August 1961, as a registered nurse. This occupation would be her calling throughout her professional life. Upon marriage, she moved to Kent Island, Maryland, where she birthed and raised her three children. Mary was a devout Roman Catholic. After settling on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Mary became an active member of St. Christopher’s Church in Chester, Maryland, where she remained as such until her death. Mary’s greatest joy was that of being a mother. She would share her love of the ocean with her children throughout the summers of their youth. To spend the day among the waves and sand along the shores of the Delaware and Maryland coastline with her children would be quoted as being some of her fondest memories. Summers with her children, niece, and nephew, provided additional childhood adventures when she served as a camp nurse at Camp Wright, in Stevensville, Maryland. The entire camp became her family’s playground, like no other. Mary came to love living on the Eastern Shore and thoroughly enjoyed the infamous Maryland Blue Crab. Many a weekend during the summer months, she would host crab feasts for her family and some very close family friends. These crab feasts quickly became annual traditions. In the winter, she would host the same family and friends for homemade pizza parties. These, too, became annual traditions. She often reminisced about all the great times and memories made during those gatherings. Mary was generous beyond measure - an attribute among many – that also endeared her to her patients throughout her career. If you needed a place to lay your head, her home was always open. Her residence at Love Point Road became home to several roommates who soon became her extended family because of Mary's warm and loving nature. These extended family members became additional adopted daughters and grandchildren. Mary found creative expression through cooking. She would provide the most spectacular of meals, at times, with limited resources, and with classical music playing in the background. She loved to cook, but once the meal was prepared and ready to serve, you dare not be late. She did not watch much mainstream TV but cable was required so that she could watch EWTN, the Global Catholic Network channel, day and night so that she could participate in the Mass, especially when she could not make it to St. Christopher’s, due to her health. The twice-daily rosary service was a must. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, July 29, 2024 beginning at 11:00 am, at St. Joseph on the Brandywine in Wilmington, Delaware.

Mary Sheldrick Knight

December 22, 1940 - July 12, 2024