WORCESTER-Henrietta C (Kwiatkowski) Knight, 89, of 5 Rydal Street, passed away Thursday, July 13th at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, following a brief illness. She is survived by two sons, William F. Riley, Sr., of Chipala, Mexico, and Jonathan P. and his wife, Deborah Knight of Worcester; two stepdaughters, Judith R. Knight of Rutland, and Sally G. Knight and her husband David White of South Burlington, VT; eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
She was born in Easthampton the daughter of Frank and Stella (Zielinski) Kwiatokowski and graduated from Westfield High School and the New England School of Business. Shortly after relocating to Worcester in 1934, she worked at Putnam & Thurston’s restaurant and will be remembered as the original coat check girl. She was well known by all patrons for her ability to efficiently check and retrieve their personal items without issuing receipts, as well as her signature “bunny hug” bestowed as she helped gents on with their overcoats. Henrietta also enjoyed a career of 28 years with Thom McAn Shoe Corp as Administrative Assistant to the Controller, retiring in 1995 at the age of 78.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held Saturday, August 19th at 11:00 AM in O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 350 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01604.