Obituary of Elizabeth Knapp

Elizabeth M. "Betty" Knapp, 79, of Pleasant Valley for the last 39 years, passed away peacefully in her home on March 29, 2013 with her children Robert and Joann who were her sole care providers in the end. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 10, 1933 to Eugene and Edna Wertz. She moved to the Dutchess County area in 1964. She worked as a bookkeeper most of her life, with her last place of full time employment being at John Arborio Construction. She was there for almost 20 years until they closed. Betty had three loving children, a son Douglas R. Rettberg who predeceased her in 1979, a son Robert M. Rettberg of Fishkill, NY and her daughter Joann Groth and her husband Peter of Clinton Corners, NY. She also leaves behind two loving grandchildren and one great-grandson. Her grandson Brandon W. Smith and his wife Denise of Wappingers Falls, NY, her granddaughter Lindsay M. Groth of Clinton Corners, NY and her great-grandson Justin B. Smith of Wappingers Falls, NY. Betty loved her grandchildren more than life itself and she thought her new great-grandson was "just too darn cute". She devoted her time to her grandchildren as they grew up. She loved going to all their activities from plays and concerts to baseball games, dance recitals and graduations. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, spending time with family or going to see a Broadway show. That day would never be complete without a hot pastrami sandwich from the "Carnegie Deli". Later in life she kept to herself, watching old movies, doing jigsaw puzzles and puzzle books. She was a tough cookie right to the end and we will all miss her tremendously. She had a big heart, loved the Lord and looked forward to seeing her son Douglas in heaven. Calling hours will be held from 11:00-1:00pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the Timothy P Doyle Funeral Home, Inc, 371 Hooker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Funeral Services will be held following visitation at 1:00pm, with Pastor Thomas Hartley of Clinton Alliance Church officiating. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. For directions or to send online condolences, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com.