Jean Ann Knighten
December 20, 1946 ~ March 16, 2014
Jean Ann Knighten
(Age 67)
Of Fairfax, Virginia, died at her home on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Born December 20, 1946, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, the daughter of the late Walter and Cecelia Orkwis, Jean was the first in her family to graduate from college with a Mathematics degree from University of Dayton. She began her federal government career with the U.S. Air Force Foreign Technology Division in 1968, a time when few women held positions in the Defense field. While working full-time and raising two children, Jean earned her master's degree from the Central Michigan University.
Her Department of Defense career took her from Ohio to Virginia to Colorado and, ultimately, back to Virginia. During her 30 years of federal service, Jean served in critical intelligence analysis and policy leadership positions within the U.S. Air Force FTD and Defense Intelligence Agency. After retiring from DoD, she worked for four additional years at the Battelle Institute before fully retiring in 2012. Jean had a love of travel and learning about other cultures. Although she visited many parts of the world over the years, one of her favorite places was the southwest United States. While living in Colorado, Jean and Larry fell in love with the broad vistas, culture, history, and arts of the southwest and Native American people. After returning to Virginia, they traveled back to the area often and maintained strong friendships with many people they met during their visits.
Jean will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have their lives touched by her. Throughout her career, she served as a role model to many and always exhibited the highest level of integrity and professionalism. She lived with cancer for more than 15 years but never let it define her. She battled her disease with both grit and grace and was a hero, mentor, and friend to many women who faced the same fight. Her intelligence, elegance, fortitude, and generous spirit will be missed by all of us whom she leaves behind.
Jean is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Larry Knighten. Devoted mother of Brian Majewski (Julia Spencer) and Amy Escolopio (Jayson); adoring grandmother of Jaykob and Elizabeth; three step-children, Chip Knighten (Tanya), Aprill Garretson (Mike) and Heather Martelle (Craig Clark) and numerous step-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jean's life celebration at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA. on Saturday, March 29 from 10:30 AM till time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Life with Cancer Center, 8411 Pennell Street, Fairfax, VA 22031, 703-698-3526.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
(Age 67)
Of Fairfax, Virginia, died at her home on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Born December 20, 1946, in Jamaica, Queens, New York, the daughter of the late Walter and Cecelia Orkwis, Jean was the first in her family to graduate from college with a Mathematics degree from University of Dayton. She began her federal government career with the U.S. Air Force Foreign Technology Division in 1968, a time when few women held positions in the Defense field. While working full-time and raising two children, Jean earned her master's degree from the Central Michigan University.
Her Department of Defense career took her from Ohio to Virginia to Colorado and, ultimately, back to Virginia. During her 30 years of federal service, Jean served in critical intelligence analysis and policy leadership positions within the U.S. Air Force FTD and Defense Intelligence Agency. After retiring from DoD, she worked for four additional years at the Battelle Institute before fully retiring in 2012. Jean had a love of travel and learning about other cultures. Although she visited many parts of the world over the years, one of her favorite places was the southwest United States. While living in Colorado, Jean and Larry fell in love with the broad vistas, culture, history, and arts of the southwest and Native American people. After returning to Virginia, they traveled back to the area often and maintained strong friendships with many people they met during their visits.
Jean will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to have their lives touched by her. Throughout her career, she served as a role model to many and always exhibited the highest level of integrity and professionalism. She lived with cancer for more than 15 years but never let it define her. She battled her disease with both grit and grace and was a hero, mentor, and friend to many women who faced the same fight. Her intelligence, elegance, fortitude, and generous spirit will be missed by all of us whom she leaves behind.
Jean is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Larry Knighten. Devoted mother of Brian Majewski (Julia Spencer) and Amy Escolopio (Jayson); adoring grandmother of Jaykob and Elizabeth; three step-children, Chip Knighten (Tanya), Aprill Garretson (Mike) and Heather Martelle (Craig Clark) and numerous step-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jean's life celebration at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd, Vienna, VA. on Saturday, March 29 from 10:30 AM till time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Life with Cancer Center, 8411 Pennell Street, Fairfax, VA 22031, 703-698-3526.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Jean….you truly are one of the bravest women I have had the honor of knowing. I will never forget your unwavering support in our child’s battle against cancer. So many thanks for having been our angel on earth. Respectfully, the Maxis family
Dear Larry, Fellow soldier; sorry we haven’t communicated in these past years. What a lucky man you were to have a great wife like Jean. We will surely miss Jean; her knowledge and technical savvy, her warm care and concerns, and especially her friendly smile. Please send her off with the great praise she deserves and my heart-felt love. Sorry I cannot be with you and family; my PD prevents me from traveling far. If you are ever in Florida, let me know, I owe you a beer and a day of fishing! Peter 252-562-4562 Cell
Dear Family, I am so sorry to hear about Jean’s passing. I am unable to participate in her funeral Mass as I have another committment but please know that I will keep her and all of you as well in my prayers. Fondly, JOhanna Gregory
Farewell to a wonderful, generous and talented friend and colleague whose career-long commitment defended our country and enriched our lives.
My Aunt Jean, I can only imagine how wonderful it is in Heaven for you. No more suffering just perfection! The Lord blessed our family with you having been a part of it. Your strength, grace and faith were such an inspiration to me. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for serving our country but if I didn’t I want to thank you and my uncle Larry for your dedication to our freedom and your dedication to each other! We will see each other again in heaven someday. So it is not goodbye but see you later. Love, Margaret
My Aunt Jean, I can only imagine how wonderful it is in Heaven for you. No more suffering just perfection! The Lord blessed our family with you having been a part of it. Your strength, grace and faith were such an inspiration to me. I don’t know if I ever thanked you for serving our country but if I didn’t I want to thank you and my uncle Larry for your dedication to our freedom and your dedication to each other! We will see each other again in heaven someday. So it is not goodbye but see you later. Love, Margaret
Brian, I did not have the honor of knowing your Mother but if you are a reflection of her, she was a warm, considerate and caring person. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. kaf
Brian, My deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. Growing up your parents were always so nice to me. I am so thankful to have had an opportunity to meet the mother of 1 of my most cherished friends.
As Jean’s predecessor as DIA Representative in Colorado Springs I knew from the start that she would do a marvelous job there – and she did. Jean had the spirit and amazing work ethic to represent our agency superbly in the mid-1990’s. Her record of service to her country in this an her other positions of responsibility is without parallel.