Rachel ‘Toni’ Oliphant Rachel “Toni” Oliphant,...

Rachel ‘Toni’ Oliphant

Rachel “Toni” Oliphant, a Corona del Mar resident better known as

one of the three Knott sisters, died Wednesday of congestive heart

failure. She was 86.

Mrs. Oliphant and sisters Virginia and Marion and brother Russell

were the children of Walter and Cordelia Knott, the couple who owned

Knott’s Berry Farm.

Mrs. Oliphant remained active in the growth of Knott’s Berry Farm.

She was involved in retail as a general partner and director before

it was sold to Cedar Fair L.P. in 1997. Mrs. Oliphant was also known

for her involvement in the community and with philanthropy. She was

involved with several organizations, including Corona del Mar High

School, American Red Cross, Fashionables, the House Ear Institute,

Angelitos de Oro, Goodwill Industries and the New Majority.

Mrs. Oliphant gave $3 million to Chapman University to be used to

build the Ken and Toni Oliphant Symphony Hall on campus this year.

Mrs. Oliphant enjoyed several golf games with friends at Big

Canyon. She is survived by her son, daughter and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United

Methodist Church, 1601 Marguerite Ave., in Corona del Mar. In lieu of

flowers, the family suggests donating to the Hoag Women’s Pavilion.

Jim Doti, president of Chapman University, praised Mrs. Oliphant

as a woman with an “indomitable spirit.”

“She was a very private and modest woman who did not seek

recognition, but it was very meaningful to her to touch the lives of

our students and to help them fulfill their dreams,” he said.

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