Betty Bell Knight

Betty had been living mostly independently in her 150 year old house until the beginning of 2026 when the symptoms of polycythemia-vera began to affect her ability to do so. She mentioned often how “annoying” it was to depend on others for help in the days before her death.

Betty was born at home in Philadelphia, PA, the third child to George D and Bessie Bell, and little sister to Ruth and George. She attended Philadelphia public schools and went on to graduate from Arcadia University (formerly Beaver College) with a degree in finance and accounting. Her real desire was to be an architect , but as it was not considered a “woman’s “career in the 1940’s she studied for a more traditional job. She used her love of buildings and homes many times throughout her life, renovating multiple homes and helping friends with their projects as well.

Betty married her childhood beau Robert Lehman when he returned from WWII in 1946 and worked at Fleer Corporation (the makers of Double Bubble Bubble Gum!) until he graduated from vet school at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1953 they took the big step and relocated to Maryland to begin his veterinary practice for large animals in Gaithersburg. They took over Gaithersburg Animal Hospital – Bob doing the “doctoring” and Betty running the business. The animal hospital still operates today. During this time they had 2 children- daughter Nancy and soon after, Kathy. The marriage ended in divorce in 1964.

Betty remarried Raymond Knight in 1966 the newly blended family moved to a very old house in Washington Grove Maryland, where Betty resided until her death. Ray had 2 sons, David and Chris who lived in California, but visited in summers. Betty enjoyed her new role as a stepmom and looked forward to their visits. Ray passed away in 1989 with Betty and son David by his side.

Betty was in her element in the very old house- designing additions, knocking down walls and using the free labor of 2 teen-aged girls every weekend for some task that they mostly considered to be cruel and unusual punishment. She persisted and every few years added something or tore something down to get it just right. It was her safe and happy place for all her life.

At 40, Betty decided that working full time, constantly renovating a house, singing in the choir, being on town Board of Elections and raising two adolescent girls was not enough, so she decided to pursue a master’s degree from the University of Maryland in Special Education. She continued the all the aforementioned, while commuting to College Park for grad school. After graduation Betty taught for Montgomery County Public Schools until her retirement.

Her family, especially granddaughters Emily and Laura were her life and joy, with her church close behind. She attended the Church of the Ascension for over 60 years and sang happily in the choir until she was 98 years old. Not being able to sing was one of the most difficult concessions to being almost 100 years old and she could often be found singing along on while Zooming the weekly church service.

She often mentioned how she was the last of her families older generation to be alive – besides Nancy , her favorite son-in-law Nick, Kathy, Emily and Laura, she is also survived by nephews Robert Wolfrom(Pam, Scott, Michael) , Jeffrey Wolfrom (Lynn, Bill, John) , niece Janice Lamphere (David, Darren, David) several great nephews and a niece and stepsons David and Chris Knight.

Betty would like to be remembered as one who loved God and her church and adored her family. She died “fuller of faith than of fear”.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11AM at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 205 S Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Betty's memory to The Episcopal Church of the Ascension at https://ascensionmd.org/authorization-form/