Memories of Pat Burnley

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of the beloved co-founder of Kitchen Kettle Village, Pat Burnley, better known as Grammy to family members and employees. Pat peacefully passed away on Friday, February 19th, 2021 of natural causes at the age of 92. She will be remembered for a life well-lived. Pat was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend, entrepreneur, and mentor for so many and will truly be missed. Her smile, warm heart and never-ending supply of energy inspired everyone she came into contact with over the years. We look forward to celebrating her life and many accomplishments in the near future. We'll share photos & more information as it becomes available here.

About Pat's Life

Born and raised in Lancaster County's town of Intercourse, Pennsylvania, Pat Burnley spent the first eight years of her formal education in a one-room schoolhouse and learned to cook and can from her mother. She also attended high school and Lancaster Business College, followed by two years at Drexel University in their secretarial program.

In 1954 Pat and her husband, Bob Burnley, launched what was to become Kitchen Kettle Village. Starting out with a stack of two-gallon kettles and gas burners they set-up operation in their new two-car garage making jams & jellies. Over time, the garage became a tourist attraction in its own right as visitors stopped to watch the jelly-making process and enjoy a sample along with a fresh brewed cup of coffee.

As a mother of three children, all who started in the family business at the age of two and played active roles in growing the business over the years, Pat was truly a pioneer entrepreneur. In 2007, she was awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award by the PA Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau (now Discover Lancaster), which has since been renamed the "Burnley Lifetime Achievement Award" in her honor. Pat was also the recipient of the Woman of Influence "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Central Penn Business Journal. She was honored for making Central Pennsylvania a great place to work and live.

To view her obituary, tribute wall and YouTube link for her Memorial Service on March 10th after 1pm, click here.