Leslie Anne McKnight

Leslie Anne McKnight was born in Russell, Kansas, March 2, 1952, to Betty Jo Harned and Jerry Almonde McKnight. At this time, Mr. McKnight was beginning his career as a Petroleum Engineer with Southern Ohio Petroleum Co. (SOHIO). After several years, and several moves with SOHIO, the family was permanently settled in Lafayette, Louisiana.Leslie grew up as a curly haired, tow headed child amongst the native dark haired Cajuns. She was active, intelligent and playful. She spent all of her school years in the Lafayette School System. She excelled at music, playing the flute in both the Orchestra and Band. She also excelled in high school sports, especially golf. A high point of her marching band career was an invitation to march in the Inaugural Parade for President Richard M. Nixon in 1968.During Leslie's junior year, her family had the honor of hosting an American Field Service (AFS) student in their home. Cecilie was an energetic, happy, intelligent senior classmate. They were a Pair!! After graduation, Leslie traveled to Norway many times, staying with Cecilie's family. She fell in love with the people, the food and the lifestyle. She was fluent in Norwegian, although, she could not read the language. That was a goal for another time.Returning to Lafayette, she enrolled at the University of Southwest Louisiana. She quickly determined that the University was not her forte. Instead, she learned the medical skills needed/necessary to be a Respiratory Therapist. She succeeded in passing her tests and was granted a Certificate in Respiratory Therapy (CRT).During her travels in the 1970's, she realized that the mountains of Colorado were just as majestic, and far closer than those of Norway. She moved to Colorado.She worked as a Respiratory Therapist (RT) in several Denver hospitals. In one of those hospitals, she met a nurse who worked the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). Suddenly outgoing Leslie became shy Leslie. It took her approximately three months to get up the nerve to ask her out to dinner. From that point on they were an Item. Now 36 years later on October 7th, they are still an item.Leslie's enthusiasm for her careers paled in comparison to her enthusiasm for her pets, family, life, love and her small house on the North Saint Vrain Creek in Lyons, CO.Leslie passed away after a brief illness October 11, 2014.She was preceded in death by her father, JA McKnight. Leslie is survived by her Life Partner Linda Hubbard, her mother Betty McKnight, her brother Stephen McKnight, her sister-in-law Debbie McKnight, her niece Jennifer McKnight, her great niece Nicole Neveu and great nephew Stephen Neveu.A graveside service will be at 11:00am Friday, Oct. 17 at Fountain Memorial Cemetery, Lafayette, LA. Cards may be sent to: Linda Hubbard, Post Office Box 372, Lyons, CO 80540 and/or Mrs. Betty McKnight, 107 Woodlawn Dr., Lafayette, Louisiana 70506. Visit www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com to share condolences.