Regina Maguire McKnight

September 7, 1945 - March 15, 2019

Regina Maguire McKnight, 73, of Columbia, SC, rejoined her Heavenly Father on March 15, 2019. Regina was born on September 7, 1945 in Washington DC to the late Edward Anthony Maguire and Mary Kathryn Scully Maguire. She grew up in Baltimore, MD and Lexington, KY and graduated from Lexington Catholic High School. In 1965, she married the love of her life, Harry “Butch” McKnight. They were married for over 53 years and together created a large and loving family. While working, volunteering and raising six children, Regina earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky. She dedicated her career to bone marrow transplant, first at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center and then as a nurse manager at Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, SC. She poured her heart into her work, treating her patients and staff with steadfast love and compassion. Smart, determined and outspoken, she was a staunch advocate for both. As a result of Regina’s tireless efforts on behalf of others, she was presented with two flags flown over the nation’s capitol in her honor – one for her work in nursing and one for her volunteer work. Her favorite volunteer organization was Birthright, where she served where ever needed – taking calls from a nationwide hotline, getting needed baby supplies to expectant mothers, cooking for fundraising dinners, training volunteers and serving as both Volunteer Director and Administrative Director of Birthright of Lexington. She conceived of and oversaw the production and sale of a Birthright cookbook, which was a successful fundraiser and contains many favorite recipes still used by her family. After suffering a series of strokes in 2000 which initially left her unable to remember her own name, Regina fought her way back to a nearly full recovery. Although her health issues cut short the career she loved and had worked so hard for and somewhat limited her activities, Regina never once complained. She made the most of her retirement by spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, preparing a detailed family genealogy, taking weekend daytrips with her sweetheart, engaging in spirited political debate, following the ups and downs of University of Kentucky sports, baking with her grands (especially her mother’s Blonde Brownies) and watching birds and blooms gather round her cherished statue of the Blessed Mother (as well as the antics of the neighbors’ goats) from the windows of her sunroom. Regina was a devout Catholic and regularly devoted time to bible study, prayer and worship. She was a long-standing member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church. Regina lived and died by the principles of her faith, never wavering in the strength of her convictions. The family is grateful to the Church family, who stood by Regina in her time of need, particularly Bella, who faithfully brought her communion almost daily after she was no longer able to attend Mass, Father John Murray, who visited her at home and in the hospital, and the many who remembered her in their prayers. Your kindness and love lifted Regina up and brought comfort to the family. Regina was preceded in death by granddaughter Renée Felder and by son-in-law Fred Burby. She is survived by her husband, Harry, her children, Lee (Debbie) McKnight, Leanne (Joe) Prendergast, Katie Burby, Patrick McKnight, Tuffy (Andrea) McKnight and Mark McKnight, 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 6 sisters, a brother and a large extended family. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC, 29212. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church, 120 Marydale Lane, Columbia, SC 29210, with a reception following at the church’s Family Life Center.