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3 tree(s) planted in memory of Shirley Knight
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Ernestine Virgo posted a condolence
Monday, June 26, 2023
The Church was the heart of our community. Shirley’s family, the Holland family on Ocean Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, was a pillar of the Church and the Community. Shirley continued her family’s legacy of striving for social equality, uplifting all people of all ethnicities and increasing economic opportunity.
I first met Shirley when I returned to Jersey City after my patriotic teen-aged brother ran away from home, joined the Merchant Marine Service, saved enough money to buy a two family home, rented the first floor to an Irish Catholic family, the Benedict’s, while we lived on the second floor of the Grant Avenue home, on the hill, two blocks from the Holland home on Ocean Ave.
Our families attended the same Church.
Shirley was a young leader at the Church, handling finances, teaching Sunday School, organizing schedules and events. She was involved in having the great actor William Marshall performing Othello with after performance explanations of its history.
Shirley spent summers at the family farm in Virginia. I spent summers in New York with family.
Our shared family values drew us so close together, that the Holland family unofficially “adopted” me. Gradually, I found myself sleeping over, having Sunday supper after Church, just like all the relatives who came north for the summer or holidays who had a place to stay, eat, laugh or get help if needed.
We had relatives everywhere, from Aunt Gatsie home downtown, to my cousins Margaret and Louise on Astor Place to Alease in Bayonne, where we could drop by family homes unannounced, eat, play games and talk, while the family kept watch for our safety as we walked around our “private family” community. This community welcomed not only family, but extended family and friends who held the same values.
Shirley married her perfect partner Alvin “Uncle Brother” Knight. They never lost their love of family. I vividly remember their joy making breakfast for Lexi their precocious, infant, great granddaughter.
Shirley and Alvin guided us all with practical advice and love. They bought the house on Clendenny for the family and then the house in Piscataway. They brought the same legacy and activism to the Piscataway community. They were loved by all.
I had moved to New York, but we still stayed close. So close, that all three of us were pregnant at the same time in 1959. Shirley gave birth to Yvonne in June, Dathenia gave birth to DeeDee and I gave birth to Gaby. In later years, every summer, my daughters
Gaby and Suzanne would spend
weeks in Jersey City visiting their cousins and their cousins would visit us at different times.
Good taste in everything was in Shirley’s DNA. She was always impeccably dressed from head to toe. Macy’s treated her as a VIP; she had a personal shopper, personal guide and private dressing area. Macy’s would phone her when new merchandise arrived to give her first dibs.
Shirley still had a complete set of the finest china dinnerware accumulated from free dish night at the Orient Movie Theatre when we were kids. The beautiful dishes were artfully wall displayed on her dining room walls in Piscataway.
There is so much to say about Shirley who did not suffer fools of any background. She was Mensa level, but never flouted it; but did talk about Lexi’s
Mensa intellect. Ashley married a wonderful young man whose mother loves and praises Ashley as the daughter she always wanted. She was happy when her son Alvin married Nikki who clearly loved and respected him. I could go on and on but this tribute to my sister Shirley would never end. People like Shirley always go thru the Pearly Gates to join the angels and loved ones.
So many meaningful memories give me comfort. There is another angel in heaven who will continue to guide me on my path on this journey called life.
A
Anonymous purchased flowers
Monday, May 29, 2023
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Anonymous
purchased the Lovely One Spathiphyllum Plant and planted a memorial tree for the family of Shirley Knight.
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We are so sorry to learn of your lost. May God grant you His peace and bring you comfort in this time of lost. We love you. The Felton Family
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A
Anonymous planted a tree in memory of Shirley Knight
Monday, May 29, 2023
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We are so sorry to learn of your lost. May God grant you His peace and bring you comfort in this time of lost. We love you. The Felton Family Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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From Bunchie and our loving family purchased flowers
Saturday, May 27, 2023
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From Bunchie and our loving family
purchased the Rainbow Of Remembrance Spray for the family of Shirley Knight.
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We have another angel in heaven
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From Bunchie and our loving family purchased flowers
Saturday, May 27, 2023
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From Bunchie and our loving family
purchased the Sweet Solace Spray and planted a memorial tree for the family of Shirley Knight.
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We have another angel in heaven.
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F
From Bunchie and our loving family planted a tree in memory of Shirley Knight
Saturday, May 27, 2023
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We have another angel in heaven. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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A
Anonymous purchased flowers
Friday, May 26, 2023
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You will be forever in our hearts. Love, Jane Schweibinz, Dylan and Evan Bizzoco
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Jacquelyne Green posted a condolence
Friday, May 26, 2023
Dear Godmother Shirley.
Please RIH. I know that most of our transitioned loved ones were at the Gate when you arrived. You are no longer in pain and you are finally at peace.
We truly had some good times on Clendenny Avenue......me, Sully, Mark, Donnie, Maria, and all of my other cousins. Thank you for being you and for all of the memories now take your well-deserved rest......
RIH Jackie Green
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Sullivan Johnson posted a condolence
Friday, May 26, 2023
Will miss my Aunt Shirley tremendously. She provided many a smile for me over my 69 years. From enjoying Christmas visits (and her great toys from "Santa") as a child at her home in Jersey City to traveling together for family visits to Holland, Va. Aunt Shirley was often my "go to" for family history which I'll always be thankful for. She was special and will be missed immeasurably.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Shirley Knight
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Piscataway Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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2
The family of Shirley Mae Knight uploaded a photo
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
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