Eileen Knobel's Obituary
Eileen Knobel passed away on Thursday, June 11th, 2020. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on February 18th, 1929 to Yetta and Harry Katzman. In her early years she had strong ties with her brother Mel, many cousins and school friends which she maintained throughout her life. The Holidays were so important to her as it was a time to get together with everyone and pass down family traditions. Eileen met her husband Howard and they married in 1953. Their love affair lasted beyond his passing in 2011.
Eileen worked by Howard’s side as he opened his first toy store in New York in 1956, selling it two years later to build and operate several Bowling Centers in the New York vicinity. Howard, a World War II veteran, was introduced to Eileen Katzman by a close friend and they instantly fell in love. Children Gale, Terri and Robert followed. They moved from Queens to Woodmere, Long Island to set down roots and raise their family.
After receiving her Interior Design degree, Eileen began her own business.
She also proceeded to design, decorate and help automate the bowling centers and they became some of the top grossing Alley’s in the States.
Eileen and Howard, with their family in tow, built their summer home on the water of Chalker Beach in Old Saybrook, Connecticut to be close to her brother Mel, sister-in-law Edie and their two sons. They enjoyed a lifetime of happy memories, often referring to it as “the most special place where heaven meets earth”. As animal lovers, the family was always expanding by the addition of cherished pets. After selling their home in Woodmere, New York years later, Eileen and Howard became snowbirds and residents of the Bellaggio Community in Lake Worth dividing their time between Florida and Old Saybrook, Connecticut.
Eileen will be dearly missed and always loved by her family. If we think of her often and tell our future generations about our Mom, her spirit will live on forever.
Eileen is survived by her children, daughters Gale and Terri, son Robert, sons-in-law Steven and Ellery, daughter-in-law Dawn, and grandchildren Corey and Dylan. Donations may be made to ASPCA.
Funeral and shiva will be private due to COVID.
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