Sally (Percival) Knight

WESTBROOK – Sally (Percival) Knight passed away peacefully at her residence at Smiling Hill Farm on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at the age of 88. Sally was fortunate to be surrounded by family she loved in a place she cherished.

Sally Ann was born on Nov. 10, 1934 to loving parents Thelma “Timmy” (Christensen) Percival and Ralph Percival. Sally was a clever, inquisitive child raised in her extended Danish family that populated the environs of upper Forest Street in Westbrook and filled the pews at nearby Trinity Lutheran Church.

Sally was the older sister for her many cousins until the 10th grade when she was rewarded with a little sister of her own, Krista Jane. KJ’s arrival instilled in Sally a love of babies and children. Having been an only child for 16 years created a desire for a large family. In her high school yearbook Sally listed her ambition as, “To raise six kids”.

Sally attended Forest Street School and Westbrook High School where she excelled academically. Sally met her future husband, Roger Knight in high school but the unlikely romance between the class valedictorian and the farmer’s son did not catch fire until both were attending the University of New Hampshire. Sally pursued a degree in physical therapy until 1956 when they married. Roger and Sally were parted by Roger’s death in 2015. Sally wrote that, “We had 60 beautiful years together and I still wanted more.”

After marriage, six children followed in quick succession. A set of twins, Darlene and David arrived in 1957, next came Rebecca, then Warren and finally a second set of twins, Marsha and Michael in 1961. Roger often bragged of Sally’s Herculean feat of having six children in diapers at the same time (apparently the oldest two were difficult to potty train?). Caring for six rambunctious and sometimes ill-behaved children was demanding but Sally’s revenge was dressing them occasionally in matching outfits and keeping photographic evidence.

The urban Sally quickly adjusted to life at Smiling Hill Farm and in addition to raising children she enjoyed the animals; dairy cows, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs, too many cats, and an orphan raccoon. All of which at one time or another ended up, to her horror, inside her house.

Sally also raised strawberries, corn, pumpkins and squash. Sally managed a crew of teenage summer pickers and a farm stand. At night when all were abed she manually tallied the double entry accounting system to keep the farm’s books. Sally and Roger started the Barnyard Petting Farm to invite the public to experience a traditional New England dairy farm. Sally was “Mother Goose” and greeted customers at the gift shop where she proudly offered a vast selection of children’s books.

Sally loved her children and encouraged their passions. Sally was a Girl Scout Leader for the girls and a Boy Scout Den Mother for the boys. Her station wagon ferried children to appointments, sporting events, musical lessons, dance classes, school affairs and every Sunday to church and Sunday school.

When she was able to find someone willing to accept the challenge of babysitting six kids, Sally and Roger would escape to attend dinner parties, theater, or civic events. Sally and Roger were ardent square dancers and traveled throughout Southern Maine to many dances. Sally found time to record daily life in a calendar journal and continued scrapbooking (a practice she began in grade school) her entire life. Sally saved mementos and organized them in a library of chronological books.

Sally was an accomplished swimmer. Her passion for water was demonstrated by getting a non-swimming Roger, who had a fear of water, to construct a pool in the backyard. Sally enjoyed the spectacle of six kids reveling in the pool at the end of a steamy summer day of haying while Roger dog-paddled in the shallows displaying a spectacular farmer’s tan.

In her mid-40s Sally was diagnosed with MS. Her resilience in fighting back against that disease was her biggest challenge and greatest success. She was an example of what diet, exercise and determination could do. She accepted her limitations with grace and they did not prevent her from enjoying life.

In later years Sally traveled with Roger to Scotland, Ireland, Bermuda and Alaska. Sally had an affinity for lighthouses (Nubble Light figured prominently in their courtship) and they traveled extensively throughout Maine visiting everything worth seeing. “Let’s go for a drive!” was an invitation to adventure.

Sally was devoted to the City of Westbrook. She was a dedicated participant in the Girls of ’53 (her graduating class) and fostered warm, lifelong friendships with schoolmates. Sally served as the Register of Voters for the City for many years. Sally was devastated in 2000 to learn that a new house built on the farm to accommodate her MS challenges had a Scarborough mailing address. Her disappointment was tempered by indulging in a rare luxury by having an indoor exercise pool installed at her new home. The pool allowed her to swim the remainder of her life and she delighted in sharing the pool with neighbors and friends that benefited from the therapeutic effects.

Sally was a hospice volunteer for VNA Home Health Care; she was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Choir and of Paul’s Pals a volunteer singing troupe that entertained at nursing homes throughout Southern Maine; she donated time and farm products to the Wayside Soup Kitchen; she volunteered to rock babies at daycare; she was a swimming volunteer for disabled children at the Reiche Pool; she was a member of the League of Women Voters, and a member of the Women of the Church. Sally was an avid birdwatcher, reader and etymologist. Her singular vice (besides chocolate) was appointment viewing of PBS Masterpiece Theater every Sunday night where she could reliably be found with her cat Tippy in her lap.

Sally is survived by her six children, Darlene Hall and her husband David of Raymond, David Knight and daughter-in-law Deborah, Rebecca Lilley and husband Mark of Scarborough, Warren Knight and wife Jeanette of Loxahatchee, Fla., Marsha Knight and husband Steven Gorman of Buxton, and Michael Knight and his wife Elizabeth of Westbrook. Also surviving is Sally’s sister, Krista Jane Metivier (Tom Metivier) of Spring Hill, Fla.; as well as 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; a niece, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine and the caregivers who showed kindness, compassion and patience which allowed Sally to comfortably stay in her home. A special thank you to Dr. Dur and Nurse Michelle.

The children invite Sally’s extended family of relations, friends, acquaintances and all those touched by her joy to attend a celebration of a life full and well lived on May 13 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook. Sally’s ashes will be interred next to her husband at the South Gorham Cemetery in the spring.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Sally’s memory should consider the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Wayside Soup Kitchen and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Sally (Percival) Knight