The Eagle

Death of former Westland Judge Gail McKnight is mourned

A memorial mass is set tomorrow to honor the life of The Honorable Judge Harriet Gail Horan McKnight, a beloved public servant who served as a judge, a Westland City Councilwoman and a deeply engaged citizen of the community.

Mrs. McKnight, 80, of Westland, died Jan. 31.

She was born July 31, 1945, in Detroit and lost both her parents, Madge M. (Coghlin) and Edwin P. Horan before the age of 10.  Deeply Irish and Catholic, she attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grosse Pointe and later enrolled at the University of Detroit (Mercy) in 1963 as a journalism major.

While working on the school newspaper, she met Richard Carl McKnight, whom she married on May 20, 1967. The couple worked at Associated Newspapers while pursuing law degrees. Mrs. McKnight earned her degree with honors from Wayne State University Law School and entered public service, serving on the Westland City Council from 1978 until 1981 when she was appointed by Gov. James J. Blanchard as judge of the 18th District Court in Westland. She was reelected to the bench where she served for many years. In both roles, she was known for her seriousness, preparation, and strength of presence.

The couple were the parents of Mollie McKnight Feliks and Edward (Ted) McKnight, both of whom predeceased them—Mollie in 2008 and Ted in 2010. In the last 25 years of his life, Mr. McKnight lived with Parkinson’s disease. His wife supported him through an arduous journey and became a committed advocate for Parkinson’s research and awareness. Mr. McKnight died in 2020. 

Among Mrs. McKnight’s survivors are her sister,  Kathleen Madge Maureen (John) Daniels; a daughter-in-law, Mihwa McKnight; son-in-law Ken Feliks; grandchildren, Sam Taylor, (Nhia); Gena Taylor, (Siraj Naboulsi; Jessie Taylor; Emily Plauman (Brian); Kim Taylor; Christian Feliks (Heather); great-grandchildren, Mollie Temple, Amelia Plauman, Siraj Jr. Naboulsi, Amina Naboulsi, Nolan Taylor, Leila Taylor, Bobby and Jordan Zachary, Quinn Taylor, and Katherine Feliks.

A Memorial Mass is planned at 10:30 a.m., tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 20, at St. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, 629 E. Jefferson, Detroit, with gathering beginning at 10 a.m.

Donations in Mrs. McKnight’s memory may be made to Ss. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church, 629 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48226 or the Pope Francis Center, 438 St. Antoine St., Detroit, Michigan 48226- two places that reflect her deep care to faith, dignity, and well-being of others, and her enduring commitment to compassion in action, her family said.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Northman-Sassaman Chapel.