Marjorie Jean Knudson

COLUMBIA - Jean Knudson passed away peacefully December 15, 2022, surrounded by her daughters and family. Born to Albert and Edith Woodrick on April 16, 1928 in La Salle, Illinois, Jean moved to California with her family as a young adult. She attended Glendale community college before she met and soon married her future husband, Buzz. They married in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Buzz was playing baseball for the Idaho Falls Silver Sox. When Buzz’s baseball career came to an end, they moved and settled in Burbank, CA, where they raised their daughters Karen and Nancy.

As the most fabulous homemaker, Jean was also known for volunteering in the church children’s choir and children’s hospital. Her favorite hobby was golf and she served as the president of the Women’s Golf Association. She was quite the golfer, lowering her handicap at one point to single digits. Her success on the course earned her two holes in one. She also enjoyed knitting and needlepoint. Her six grandchildren will always treasure the stockings she made each of them.

Jean and Buzz, had a long, loving, happy marriage. Throughout their 55 years together, they enjoyed traveling with close friends, fishing and skiing with family, and especially Christmas trips that brought their family together.

Jean was known by her many stories, songs and one liners. She always looked stunning in her famous “popped” collars, gold necklaces, and bangles. She told the best jokes, had a quick wit, and in the words of a good friend, “She could work a room!” Jean, affectionately known as Gigi to her great grandchildren, loved hosting her family and friends, always making their visits and meals extra special.

Predeceased by her husband, Buzz Knudson, and sister, Shirley Freidrich. Survived by sisters Joanne Anderson, Carol Shepard, and Janice Kelliher.

Survived by her daughters Karen Sullivan (Pat) of Columbia, SC and Nancy Montgomery (Gary) of Burbank, CA. Grandchildren Mark Sullivan (Fran), Jenny O’Neill (Chris), Kelly Gandolfo (Andy) and Andrew Sullivan (Abbey) all of Columbia and Taylor Seyler (Aaron) of Manhattan Beach, CA and Eric Montgomery (Annemarie) of Burbank, CA. Great Grandchildren Luke, James, Grant, and Elizabeth Sullivan; Mackinley, Charlotte, and William O’Neill; Jack, Kate, and Rory Gandolfo; and Walker and Spencer Sullivan all of Columbia, SC. Presley and Cash Seyler of Manhattan Beach, CA and Jewel Montgomery of Burbank,CA.

We are thankful for the devotion of Dot Andrews, Joann Lamb and Nadia McQueen in her last years.

Jean will be remembered in a Memorial service at Dunbar Chapel Irmo on Tuesday, December 20. The family will receive friends at a visitation at 10:00 in the morning, prior to her memorial service at 11:00.