Maria S. Knight's LiveStream Link for the Mass at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

https://youtube.com/@ StFrancisXavierParishMedinaOH

Maria Socorro Knight (nee Eustaquio) passed away unexpectedly and was reunited with her husband on March 23, 2023. She was born September 6, 1940 in San Juan, Nicaragua to Juana (Larios) and Atanasio Eustaqio.

Maria grew up on a coffee and fruit farm with eight brothers and sisters and even more half-siblings. Her parents passed when she was young and upon completing her education, she began running the family businesses. But she dreamed of bigger things.

In 1970 she immigrated to the United States and began living with close family in Cleveland.

After learning English by watching soap operas and going to night school, she began working at General Motors in Brookpark. There, she met her husband of 45 years, Ronald Edward Knight. They built a wonderful life together which included traveling to Europe, Greece, vacationing all along the Atlantic Coast, the Grand Canyon and visiting Nicaragua many times, even wintering there for several years before his death.

When Nicaragua was entrenched in civil war she worked tirelessly to sponsor family members and bring them safely and legally to the United States. For those she could not get out of the country, she and Ronald sent shipments of clothing and money to help family with their needs.

Maria and Ronald were helpers to many, she with her cleaning and cooking skills and he with his handyman skills. They checked in on and helped many aging friends and neighbors over the years.

She was known her for cooking. She made the best nacatamales, gallo pinto, rice, fresh rolls, and Mama Coco Muffins which are pretty famous in Medina. She was an accomplished seamstress, was great with finances, and raised fruitful vegetable and flower gardens.

Maria was a caretaker to her core. After raising their daughter, Maria returned to the workforce as a nanny and housekeeper for a special family, where she delighted in caring for their three youngest children and helping keep their household organized for 25 years.

Family was everything to Maria, but especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Tina Sabol (Scott), step-sons Rick (Paula), Ron Jr. (Diane), grandchildren Nathan and Elaina Sabol, Riley (Bonnie), Kayleigh McCann (Dan), Ron III (Susy) and Rick (Jeni). Great grandchildren, Riker, Kenton, Huxley, Clarabelle, Piper, Aila, Indie, and Rowan and Elowyn McCann. Brothers Aquiles, Praxiteles and Temistocles, sister Nora, and special sister-in-law Mina Eustaquio, her husband's siblings, Tom, Arnie, and Bonnie Knight, and many cousins, nephews and nieces who thought of her as a second mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Ronald in 2021, and numerous brothers, sisters and extended family.

Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St, Medina, OH, 44256.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 606 E. Washington St. in Medina.   She will be laid to rest at Poe Cemetery in Montville Township.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society c/o St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church or Birthcare of Medina, 620 E Smith Rd E-5A, Medina, OH 44256.

Online condolences may be left at www.waitefuneralhome.com