Taylorsville, Utah - Our kind, loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Denece Wilcox Knight, age 86, passed away January 19, 2022 at her home in Taylorsville.

She was born in Lehi, September 5, 1935, a daughter of Thomas S. and Ruth Christofferson Wilcox.

Denece grew up in Lehi, Utah where she enjoyed life guarding at Saratoga Springs Resort and hiking with her Dad. She attended Lehi High School, where she was active in the Pep Club. She graduated from Lehi High School, Class of 1953.

She married the love of her life, Newell G. Knight May 20, 1955 in the Manti LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2007. After their marriage, Denece and Newell lived in Provo for several years, then moved to American Fork. In 1965 they moved to Chicago, Illinois to attend Northwestern University. After 1 year in Chicago, they moved back to Utah, buying a home in Taylorsville where she has since lived.

Denece earned her first Motherhood Degree in 1956 and four more Motherhood Degrees would follow.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, working in the Primary, Relief Society and she loved working in the Jordan River Temple.

Denece enjoyed gardening, tole painting, baking, cake decorating, quilting, puzzles, playing board and card games with her family, especially the grandkids, but most of all, she enjoyed her family. She loved swimming with, and celebrating Holidays and Birthdays with her swimming "Best Friends". She worked as a lunch lady, served in the PTA and worked dipping chocolates at the Meadow Brook Golf Course.

She enjoyed taking long rides and exploring new places with her husband, Newell. Denece loved all the many places they traveled as a family. The "Crick" in Lehi and the Cruise to Alaska were most special to her.

Mom was a great listener and she was very patient. She listened intently to all of our adventures and was willing to talk for hours after we came home from anywhere we'd been. We all looked forward to receiving packages from Mom while we were away at college.  Mom was frugal and devoted, selfless, and very committed to her family. Her main goal was to raise a strong, successful family that would recognize the importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives and the happiness it brings.

Denece is survived by her children: Clark and Becky Knight of Richfield; Stuart and Roxanne Knight of South Jordan; Lynda Knight Spencer of Millcreek, Sandra and Claron Headman of Layton, Jeffery and Mindee Knight of Cedar City; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father, Thomas S. Wilcox, her mother, Ruth Christofferson Wilcox, her husband, Newell G. Knight and a grandson, Nicholas Lynn Knight.

Funeral services will be Monday, January 24, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. in the Wing Mortuary Chapel in Lehi, where friends may call for viewing Monday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services.

Interment will be in the Lehi City Cemetery.