Orono, ME – Mary Edith (Cline) Knightly of Orono, Maine, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 27, 2026. She was born September 19, 1938 in Long Beach, California, the third daughter of Richard M. and Edith V. (Kesler) Cline.
Educated in the Long Beach public schools, Mary was proud to receive The David Starr Jordan award at her graduation from Jordan High School. She went on to the University of Redlands where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and was active as a cheerleader and in her sorority, Delta Kappa Psi, making dear life-long friends.
She taught third grade at White Oaks school in San Carlos, California from 1960 to 1963. While there in Northern California in 1962 she met and married the love of her life, George H. Knightly.
As the children arrived, George’s career took them to Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota, then Madison, Wisconsin, and Amherst, Massachusetts. A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Mary loved reading, singing and playing piano with her boys and grandchildren. She organized numerous projects to engage them: painting, crafts, cookie decorating, and more. She was the consummate Cub Scouts den mother and Sunday school teacher. Somehow, she found time to cultivate a thriving flower garden and be active in the Garden Club of Amherst.
Mary also enjoyed taking arts and crafts courses, which ignited her passion for pottery and led to the launch of her Creative Clay business. She sold her wares at home shows and around New England at craft fairs and shops. Mary involved her boys in the business, patiently teaching them craftsmanship and how to engage customers.
Mary loved to travel, whether through George’s career-related stays in Colorado, Texas, and Germany, or on vacations. A highlight in later years was an annual trip to see West Coast grandchildren, family and friends, and escape the winter weather. She was always ready to go!
Mary retired from the pottery business in 2017. After forty-eight years in Amherst, she and George moved to Orono, Maine, and the welcoming Dirigo Pines retirement community. She remained there until advancing Alzheimer’s led to her final days at Memory Lane Assisted Living in Hermon, Maine.
Mary is survived by her husband George, sons (spouses; grandchildren) John (Floriana; Ian, Harlan), Daniel (Alyson; Madeline, George), Andrew (Leah; Dwight) and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Paul, and her sisters Betty Lou Sweeting and Evelyn Lucille Rowland.
The family is most grateful for the support of Mary’s many caregivers who eased with compassion her transition over this past year.
Those wishing to do so are encouraged to contribute in honor of Mary to the Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine, or to a charity of their choice, in lieu of sending flowers.
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