Elizabeth “Betty” R. Herr Groff

Elizabeth "Betty" R. Herr Groff, 80, well known Pennsyl-vania Dutch chef and restaurant owner, passed away on November 8, 2015. She was the wife of Abram B. Groff and would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on Thursday, November 12. She is survived by her son, Charles N. (Cindy Shaeffer) Groff of Mount Joy and her two grandsons, Matthew J. and Travis M. Groff. Betty was preceded in death by her sons, John Groff and Robert Rote, and a daughter, Carrie Lynn Groff.

Betty was a "Celebrity Chef" who began a career in culinary excellence at a young age while watching her grandmother prepare traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes. Her father was a butcher with his own recipes for smoking meats and, together, the combination of the two was enough to propel her into a lifelong career in cooking. She made several appearances on the NBC Today Show and was also a successful author of six cookbooks. She later went on to produce her own cooking show on television. An entrepreneur at heart, she and Abe operated Groff Farm Restaurant out of their stone farmhouse (circa 1750), located in East Donegal Township, for over 40 years. It was there that she served her famous family recipes of Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine, which included "Chicken Stoltzfus, Home Cured Smoked Ham and Prime Rib beef dinners." Seven sweets and seven sours were always included at the table as well. She gained nationwide recognition as she served thousands of visitors and travelers to Lancaster County. During many dinners, she would entertain her guests by playing her coronet and it was customary for her to serve her chocolate cake and cracker pudding first because there would be "no room" for dessert.

An accomplished businesswoman, she served on the board of directors of The Nationwide Life Insurance Company of Columbus, OH, on the board of the former Pennsylvania Children's Hospital in Elizabeth-town, and as president and past president of the Mount Joy BPW. An active member of the Donegal Presbyterian Church, Betty served as a Ruling Elder.

Born in Strasburg, Betty was the daughter of the late Clarence N. and Bertha K. Root Herr. She was a proud 10th generation Lancaster Countian and was a direct descendant of early Lancaster County settler, Hans Herr. The last of her immediate family, she was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond R. Herr.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Donegal Presbyterian Church, 1891 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 11 AM with The Reverend Dr. Donald M. Rising officiating. Betty's family will receive friends at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be private and held at the convenience of her family. In lieu of flowers, her family would deeply appreciate memorial contributions to Hos-pice and Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604- 4125.sheetzfuneralhome.com

Sheetz

Funeral Home, Inc.

Mount Joy