Gail Klingensmith, co-owner of Pamela’s Diner for 46 years, has died

Gail Klingensmith, co-owner of Pamela’s Diner for 46 years, has died.

On Tuesday, the Pamela’s Diner Facebook page posted a remembrance signed by owner Pam Cohen.

“Today, I lost my business partner, best friend and my ‘sister.’ Gail was the soul of P&G Pamelas diners,” the post by Cohen reads. “She was the one the Obamas loved. She was the one the employees loved. She was the one most of you loved. We would often tease her. ‘everybody loves Gail.’ It would make her mad but it was the truth.”

Klingensmith and Cohen opened the first location of P&G Pamela’s Diner — named with both their initials — in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood in 1980.

The retro, 1950s-style diner became beloved for its crepe-style pancakes and became nationally known after then Sen. Barack Obama visited during his 2008 presidential campaign.

The following year, Klingensmith and Cohen were invited to the White House to serve their signature pancakes for a Memorial Day breakfast with veterans.