Polly Keck Knight
Polly Keck Knight, 97, of Indialantic, Fla., passed away at home on March 14, 2021, of natural causes.
Born Oct. 12, 1923, in Butler, Polly was the third of five daughters born to Albert Frederick Keck and Marjorie Eisler Keck.
She grew up in Butler surrounded by the large extended Eisler family, who stepped in to support the Keck sisters after the early deaths of their parents.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Hooks (Vernon Sr.), Jean Miller (William Sr.) and Kathleen Smeltzer (Robert), and a sister, Emily, who died in infancy.
Polly was an excellent student at Butler High School, and entered Grove City College at the age of 16, earning a degree in chemistry.
After graduating from college, she met her future husband, Mellen Aubrey Knight, a chemist, while working as his lab assistant. They married in 1945 and moved to White Bear Lake, Minn., shortly after, where they raised their two sons.
In 1965, Polly entered the University of Minnesota, to earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education. For 11 years, she was a dedicated and beloved elementary school teacher in White Bear Lake, first at the Vadnais School, and later at the Lincoln School.
She and Mell happily retired to Florida in 1979. A few years after Mell's death in 1983, Polly met Thomas Geary, who was her beloved companion for 17 years until his death.
Polly was passionate about the arts. She had an intense appreciation for design and enjoyed creating beauty, both inside and outside the home. Having learned to play the piano from her mother, a conservatory graduate, she adored classical music and opera, and was an active supporter of many musical organizations throughout her life, most recently the Melbourne Chamber Music Society in Brevard County.
Polly is survived by her sons, Frederick Keck Knight (Ann) of Wayland, Mass., and Thomas Edward Knight (Susan) of Hopkinton, Mass.; five beloved granddaughters, Celia Knight (Jason Shelkowitz), Emily Knight (David Faulkner), Victoria Knight (Troy Brown), Melanie Carlsen (Eric) and Catherine Johnson (Craig); four great-grandchildren, Shelly Knight, Olive Knight, Miles Carlsen and Benvolio Knight; her cousin, Ruth Eisler Clark; her nephews, Vernon Hooks Jr. (Sal Sotille) and William Miller Jr. (Gail); and a niece, Marjorie Granat (Ken).
Polly's greatest pride and joy in life were her children and grandchildren. They will miss her energy, kindness, support, generosity, strong opinions and unconditional love.
The family wishes to acknowledge and thank Margaret and Trisha for the dedicated and loving care they gave to Polly over the last four years, particularly during the past year's heartbreaking family separation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
KNIGHT — Arrangements for Polly Keck Knight, who died Sunday, March 14, 2021, are under the direction of Davis Seawinds Funeral Home, Melbourne, Fla.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Thomas C. Geary Presidential Alumni Scholarship Fund at the University of South Dakota Foundation, Wagner Alumni Center, 1110 N. Dakota St., Vermillion, SD 57069.Please visit www.davisseawinds.com.
