Deborah A. Knight

Deborah Ann Knight, age 84, of Newburyport, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 following a long battle with cancer that barely dimmed her spirits. Surrounded by her loving family, she spent her final few days as she lived her entire life, exuding love, gratitude, and optimism. She was predeceased by her husband of more than 50 years, Lawrence T. Knight.

A lifelong resident of Newburyport, Deborah graduated from Newburyport High School in 1956. She loved her hometown and was well known throughout the city. While she held numerous jobs over the years, her fondest roles involved service to others, from working as a teacher’s aid for special needs students, to keeping the books and much more for the Boys and Girls Club of Salisbury. A breast cancer survivor in the 1980’s, Deborah made a lifelong commitment to helping others battling cancer through her volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and Anna Jacques Hospital. She found the bright side in every situation, and helped others find positive paths through adversity. She found joy in simple pleasures like sharing board games with friends or delivering her famous chocolate chip cookies to someone feeling down. She will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Deborah is survived by her three sons, Scott and wife Kelly of Newburyport, Jeffrey and wife Donna of Weston, MA, and Kevin and wife Susan of Kennebunk, Maine. She leaves seven grandchildren, Benjamin, Justin, Julia, Ashton, Hannah, Marshall, and Alexander. She is also survived by her brother Howard Salt and his wife Diana, and her sister, Bonnie Salt and her husband Barry, as well as many nephews and nieces.

Calling hours will take place from 4-7 pm on Friday evening the 9th of February, at Elliott, Woodworth & Rogers Family Funeral Home, 35 Green Street, Newburyport. A burial service will be held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Newburyport at 10 A.M. on Saturday, February 10th, followed by a service and reception at Steeple Hall at the Mission Oak Grill, Green Street, Newburyport, at 11:30 A.M.

Donations in her memory may be sent to the Boys & Girls Club of Lower Merrimack Valley, P.O. Box 5906 Salisbury, MA 01952, or at BGCLMV.org