Katherine "Betty" Elizabeth (Kadel) McKnight

Katherine Elizabeth Kadel McKnight (also known as Betty to her family) passed away at her home in Arlington, Virginia on August 15, 2022 at the age of 92. She was born in Washington, D.C. on March 20th 1930. Her parents were Katherine Ash Kadel and Philip Norburg Kadel. She was raised in Arlington, Virginia and graduated 3rd in her class at Washington-Lee High School in 1947. She had one brother, Robert Clifton Kadel, who preceded her in death in 2014.

Katherine met her husband, Noble Edgar McKnight in 1947 and they were married on April 12, 1948. They welcomed their first child, Noble Philip McKnight in October 1949. In May 1952, they had a daughter, Kathleen Virginia McKnight, followed by another son, William Robert McKnight in May of 1953. She had all of her children by the age of 23.

Katherine’s husband had many health challenges related to having been a prisoner of war in WWII, but she was an extremely devoted wife and it was clear that their love for each other never diminished. In 1956, Noble’s health declined to the point where he was unable to work, so Katherine found the strength to work to support her family and take care of her husband. She became a programmer/analyst in the Data and Information division of Arlington Public Schools. She had a very successful career at a time when most women of her age stayed home and took care of their children. She retired from Arlington Public Schools in 1991.

Katherine had many interests and hobbies, taking up stained glass and creating many beautiful pieces. She also had interests in southern cooking, macrame, dried flower arrangements, crocheting and gardening. She especially loved gardening and had a yard full of beautiful peonies, lilacs, tulips, lilies, azaleas, crepe myrtles, magnolias and irises.

Katherine couldn’t wait to become a grandmother, and she delighted in her grandchildren —Kristin Oldham, Trevor Jenkins (Rachel Jenkins), Dusty McKnight (Davka McKnight), Katie Man (Mike Man), Dani McKnight, Karoline Oldham, and Kimmi Alderfer (Lucas Alderfer) and her great-grandchildren (Brianna McKnight, Madelyn Man, Grey Alderfer, Tate Jenkins, Gracyn Jenkins and Aubrey Jenkins). In addition to her grandchildren, she also leaves her daughter Kathy McKnight (Timothy Oldham) and son Bill McKnight (Nikki McKnight).

Her oldest son, Phil McKnight preceded her in death in December 2020. She also leaves behind many friends, work colleagues and extended family. Her husband, Noble Edgar McKnight, passed away in 1989, which was a devastating blow to her. She had put so much of her energy into taking care of him, and her first thought was that she didn’t know what to do with her life, but she found a way to enrich her life through family, friends and her pastimes.

Katherine’s family and friends loved her very much and hope that she is with those who went before her. Rest in peace to the matriarch of our family.

Visitation and Service Saturday, September 10, 2022 at Murphy Funeral Home, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Service 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial at Columbia Gardens Cemetery.