Nora “Jane” Redfield (MacKnight) succumbed to cancer after a 34 year remission from breast cancer at the home of Craig and Dottie Burnham in Bountiful, UT on December 11, 2015 while under the care of Hospice. Jane was widowed by her late husband, Bennie Lee Redfield, on May 12, 1992 in Tooele, UT. Cremation is through the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home in Helena, Montana.
Jane was born February 1, 1935 to Crawford George MacKnight and Flossie (Murray) MacKnight in Vernal, UT. Her hometown was Jensen, UT where she attended Jensen Elementary School and Uintah High School. She continued to educate herself throughout her lifetime through reading books (3-5 novels weekly).
Some of Jane’s favorite hobbies and activities included reading, fishing, hunting, gardening, camping, riding ATVs, waterskiing, painting, photography, playing cards, cross country motorcycling, dancing, bowling, private piloting and being a serious movie critic.
Jane was a friend to everyone she met and would oftentimes strike a conversation with a total stranger. She was proud to be a granddaughter of Josephine Bassett Morris and lived her life according to “Granny’s” beliefs and expectations.
Being a mother to 5 children at a very early age, Jane had the opportunity to grow with her children while raising them. Jane was active in both the Church of Latter Day Saints and Baptist Church. As a young woman she was involved with the PTA and 4-H Club.
Jane lived her life her way and to the fullest; no regrets. The most important thing to Jane was her family. She was loved and will be missed by many.
She is survived by her son; Robert Kerry Smuin Sr., daughters; Tracy Lee (Smuin) Macknight and Annette (Smuin) Smith, sisters; Dorothy (Craig) Burnham and Gladys Wilda MacKnight, 24 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jane was preceded in death by her father, Crawford George MacKnight; mother, Florence “Flossie” Estella (Murray) MacKnight; brothers; William George “Boone” MacKnight, Francis “Frank” Norvil MacKnight, baby Abraham MacKnight, sisters; Amy (MacKnight) Lube, Isabelle “Belle” Emma (MacKnight) Christensen, Betty Ann (MacKnight) Eaton, son; Gilbert George Smuin, daughter; Janet Faye (Smuin) Stills, and grandsons; baby Cliff Morgan and Joshua Latham.
A memorial service will be held in Jensen, UT the week of July 4, 2016. Family and friends are encouraged to attend this celebration of Jane’s life on Sunday the 3rd of July at Josie’s cabin in Dinosaur National Monument. For more information regarding the memorial service please contact Tracy Macknight via email: mklady2008@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jane’s name are suggested to the American Cancer Society and/or the American Diabetes Association. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Jane.
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