Ella Susan Nelson Knight "Gramella" died April 4, 2011, at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center from complications of diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. She was born May 21, 1947 at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Frank Nelson and Fern Shelton Nelson. She grew up in a house on Orchard Drive in Bountiful, Utah with her parents, her older sister Patricia, her Grandma Shelton and her Aunt Frances Shelton. Pat and Ella were devoted companions throughout their lives, first on train trips with their father, and later for marathon shopping expeditions and University of Utah basketball games.
She attended Adelaide Elementary and South Davis Jr. High, and graduated from Bountiful High in 1965. She attended Utah State University and the University of Utah. She married F. Walker Knight March 21, 1969, and became the second mother for his daughters Julia and Tiffany. A son, Nelson, joined the family on September 26, 1971. She was a strong devoted mother. Ella and Walker divorced in 1981.
She had a long love for Salt Lake City's communities and heritage. She lived for many years in the Avenues and was a founder and board member of the Greater Avenues Community Council. She later moved to downtown Salt Lake and remained active on her HOA boards and the Central City Community Council. She worked for ZCMI, the University of Utah, Rowland Hall-St. Mark's School and Middlekauff Lincoln-Mercury. For the past 13 years, she worked for the Salt Lake City Arts Council.
When her first grandson was born, instead of "Grandma" or "Grandmother," a friend suggested "Gramella" and it stuck. She treasured her nine grandchildren, found joy in their successes, and remembered every cute thing each of them ever said. She was a collector of quotes, and said "she lived her life by the words of other people." She was a loyal, loving friend, neighbor and coworker who looked forward to time spent with all of them, notably her monthly coffee klatch.
She is survived by her sister, Patricia (Eric) Achter; son Nelson (Lisa) Knight and grandsons Alex, Addison, Carter, Colin, Parker and Paxton; daughter Julia (Glen) Grim and grandson Julian; daughter Tiffany Jan and granddaughters Winnifred and Sydney; and nephew Adam Achter. They wish to express their thanks to Dr. Dana Clarke for many years of supportive care, and to the staff of Salt Lake Regional Medical Center who helped Ella through the last days of her journey here.
Ella chose many years ago to donate her remains to the University of Utah School of Medicine. A memorial and celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, April 19th from 6-9 p.m. at the Art Barn, 54 Finch Lane (in Reservoir Park), Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, attend a University of Utah basketball game with your mom. Published in Deseret News from Apr. 8 to Apr. 10, 2011
