Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Kitchen

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Knechtel
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-401127

Notes:

'The friendly lady' of Port Dover Betty KNECHTEL helped build Knechtel Foods,

By Tony FITZGERALD

She was known to some as Port Dover's Perch Queen. But most people knew her as Betty, "the friendly lady." Mary Elizabeth (Betty) KNECHTEL and her husband, Fred, built a small retail empire that included Knechtel Foods restaurant. She died Tuesday of cancer at the age of 66. "She was a wife, mother, and co-worker beside Fred," said longtime friend Joan STETSON. "She helped make the business the success it is. She raised five children and each has grown to be a credit to her." STETSON said the young family first moved from Brantford in the early '60s. Their home was behind a food booth down by the beach. "It didn't matter to her if you were rich, poor or whatever, Betty always made time for you," Stetson said. "She was genuinely interested in people. I'd call her the public relations person for Knechtel Foods. She was a beautiful person." STETSON said Betty worked as hard as anybody and treated all the kids who worked at the restaurants, which were famous for deep-fried perch, as her own. At Christmas, she shopped for the full-time employees and put thought into every gift she purchased for them. "She never complained. She suffered arthritis before being diagnosed with cancer," Stetson said. "She had one fault and that was she worried about others, never herself. She looked after everybody else ahead of herself." Son Peter KNECHTEL said even in the latter stages of her illness, she refused to complain or feel sorry for herself. Betty's goal was to get back to her home one more time. She did that a week ago and immediately began planning for Christmas. She died surrounded by her family. Peter said his mother's interests were her family and her work, and anybody who touched those things was her best friend. "She never joined any clubs because the restaurant was her club," Peter said. "That's what she loved. She loved being there, serving and talking to people. She loved being with the employees." The number of people she touched was evident Thursday as customers and current and former employees crowded into Thompson Waters Funeral Home to pay their respects. She is survived by her husband Fred, daughters Wendy, Debbie and Diane and sons Peter and David. Funeral services were held yesterday at Grace United Church.

The Hamilton Spectator 2002-11-23.

Mary — Frederick W. Knechtel. Frederick (son of Frederick William Knechtel and Hilda Israel) was born 24 Jun 1929; died 19 Nov 2014, Port Dover, Norfolk Co., Ontario; was buried , Port Dover Cemetery, Port Dover, Norfolk, Co., Ontario. [Group Sheet]