Claudia T. "Terry" Knopf

Knopf, Claudia T. (Terry)
Terry passed away peacefully on October 5, 2011, in her home in Phoenix, AZ surrounded by family. Terry was born in Sioux City, Iowa on September 29, 1947 to George and Virginia Allen. The family moved to Phoenix in 1960. She is survived by Chuck Barnes, her soul-mate and significant other for the past 25 years; her Mother, Virginia Marsh; Brothers, Dennis, Joel & Aaron Allen; Sisters, Kimberly Elliot & Paula McIntyre; Sisters-in-law, Paula, Janice & Francie Allen; Brother-in-law, Mike McIntyre and many loving nieces & nephews. Perhaps because she was the oldest and did a lot of baby sitting, she was always thoroughly devoted to her siblings. She was preceded in death by her father, George Allen. Terry worked all of her adult life as a waitress or manager in various restaurants in the Phoenix area and personified the description of expert of her craft. She had a knack for remembering what a customer had for breakfast or lunch even when she had not seen that person for a year. She realized a life-long dream when she was able to open her own restaurant in a quaint old house in the Historic Catlin Court District in downtown Glendale which she operated for 7 years before her health began to fail. The restaurant, Aunt Pittypat's Kitchen attracted locals and winter visitors from all over the country because of it's name and visual references to the movie, Gone with the Wind not to mention the wonderful food. She was very good at creating an atmosphere reminiscent of going to Grandma's house for dinner. Oftentimes she would mix her breakfast biscuits right in the midst of customers in one of the dining rooms near the kitchen. Terry was an avid reader and loved to attend plays and concerts around the valley and in other states. She and Chuck also loved to visit the many Bed and Breakfast Inns in Northern and Southern California. Memorial services will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, October 22nd at Greer-Wilson Chapel, 5921 W. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, the family reqests that donations be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx, AZ 85014