Mackenzie Elizabeth Knights (Kenz/Kenzie/Kenzer) passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 in New Hampshire.  She was 23 years old.

 

Kenz was born on July 14, 1997 to Betsy and Peter Knights, joining her older sister Carly.  She grew up in Hanover, New Hampshire and graduated high school from Saint Johnsbury Academy in 2015.  Kenz started college at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority for two years. She then attended the University of Tampa in Florida and was most recently looking forward to finishing her degree in journalism at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. 

 

Kenz is remembered by her friends and family for her outgoing and adventurous personality.  From a young age, she was always making people laugh, entertaining those around her and putting smiles on their faces with her fun-loving antics. Kenz was a natural athlete who excelled at every sport she tried.  She spent much of her youth playing hockey, she discovered a love for running in high school, and became a yoga instructor while in college.  Kenz also enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, cooking and baking. She was always excited to try new recipes and share them with her friends and family.  Whether she was exploring the mountains with her dad in New Hampshire, spending time with her cousins on Gull Lake in Minnesota, hiking a 14-er with friends in Colorado, or walking the beach with her mom in Marco Island, Florida, Kenz most loved being outside and truly found happiness in nature. 

 

Words cannot express how deeply Kenz will be missed by her friends and family. Her loss is profoundly felt by all who were lucky enough to be a part of her life. She is survived by her father Peter Knights of Hanover, NH, her mother Betsy Conroy Knights of Naples, FL, her older sister Carly Knights of Bozeman, MT, her loving stepfather Alex Kirk of Naples, FL, her paternal grandparents Calvin and Joyce Knights of Norwich, VT, her step grandmother Marie Kirk of Concord, NH, as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends throughout the country.

 

A celebration of her life will be planned for summer 2021.  In lieu of flowers, Kenz’s family requests that donations to be made to Kilham Bear Center and Project Heal. Please click here to learn more and donate.