Memorable Manitobans: Cecilia Hope “Celia” Knight (1920-2006)

Farmer, community activist.

Born at Rotherham, Yorkshire, England on 13 December 1920 to Mary Ann Brannan (1879-1965) and William Edward Wise (1875-1946), she married RCAF pilot Albert James “Tim” Knight in Yorkshire in 1945, and in 1946 came to Canada as a war bride. They went on to have four children and farmed for ten years at her husband’s home community of Clearwater. After Tim Knight rejoined the RCAF, the family spent four years overseas, where he was serving with NATO forces. Upon being posted to Portage la Prairie, the family returned to Manitoba.

Proud of her British heritage, she was a founding member of Manitoba War Brides Association (now defunct), served as President for ten years, and wrote an autobiography entitled Never A Dull Moment. In retirement, she and her husband lived in Clearwater and Portage la Prairie, and spent winters in Texas.

She died at Portage la Prairie on 22 June 2006.

Sources:

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 2006.

Obituary [Albert James (Tim) Knight], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 December 2006.

“Cecilia Hope Wise,” Knight-Wise Family Tree, Ancestry.

This page was prepared by Lois Braun.

Page revised: 21 February 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

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