Nancy Lee Knight

Nancy Lee Knight RN (Offenbacker), 92, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2023, after a long battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. Nancy was born on January 5, 1931, to Nanie Medley in Detroit, Michigan. Nancy soon was adopted by the Offenbackers. Nancy’s little brother passed away tragically, shortly after the family moved to Ohio for a change, unfortunately her mother moved on. Being a Railroader, Nancy's father was gone much of the time, so she lived with other families helping out around their homes. At the age of 14, Nancy was fostered by the Finks, a loving couple in Christiansburg, Ohio. After high school, the Finks told Nancy she could be a secretary, a teacher, or a nurse. Nancy picked nursing, she wanted to see the world. Nancy joined the United States Air Force as an officer when she graduated from Christ Hospital School of Nursing and soon after found herself in Korea aiding injured soldiers. From this tour, she received 4 medals. When Nancy's time was over in Korea, she was sent to Japan, a country with customs she grew to love. Nancy requested her next base to be in the Southwest, she wanted to see the Pacific Coast and California. Nancy, however, was given orders to Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ!

In Tucson, Nancy met and married Robert L. Knight, the hospital administrator. Robert was a widower with a beautiful young daughter. Nancy said “it was love at first sight!”

Shortly after she married, Nancy retired as a 1st Lieutenant after 4 years of service with the USAF.

A little more than a year after they married, Nancy had a baby boy, and a few years later, a daughter. Nancy worked at TMC and St Mary’s ER before she found her home running the cardiac Cath lab at the Tucson VA for 20 years. Nancy took much pride in her Nursing career and continued education on the heart, volunteering with the Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Nancy was picked to be part of a team that assisted the first heart transplant operation right here in Tucson, AZ!

When Nancy retired from the VA, she started teaching health and wellness, she worked as the nurse at the beautiful Canyon Ranch Resort for many years. She also led the uphill 5 mile hikes a few days a week.

Nancy loved playing bridge, dancing, tennis, travel, Foothills Yacht club, Le Group, Sister Cities, Who’s Who International, Investing, walking and working out with Sam, teaching health and wellness, her church St Paul’s United Methodist, Rocky Point walks on the beach, the gem show, hosting young adult members of “Up With People,” hiking, her beautiful Grandkids, her sweet cat (that no one could pet) Lilly and her faithful dog Sandy.

Nancy never sat still, she just loved life!

Nancy so loved flowers, we ask that in remembrance of her, please give some flowers to someone You love!

Nancy is survived by her daughter Debbie Kazal, Son Larry Knight (Joanne), Daughter Kimberly Caffarel (Daniel), 5 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road on June 1, 2023 at 12 PM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Knight family.