PETRONELLA (NELLY) VENSELAAR

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• Yvonne, although we never met your mother, she sounds like a remarkable woman. Please accept our deepest sympathies on her passing. We will include her and your family in our prayers. - Posted by: Frank and Mary Mayda, Ottawa, Ontario (Friends of Yvonne) on: Jan 28, 2013

• I was saddened to hear that Nelly passed away this past sunday. Nelly was a double first cousin of my father (adrian Nooijen). My sister (Chris, Rick her husband and their 5 kids) and my Mom (Toos) were able to connect with Nelly on her many trips down south. She was a brilliant, determined lady who became warmly welcomed to our family as we got to know about family on my father's side. She will be dearly missed by us. One of the things that I admired most about Nelly was that she would set a goal and go full steam ahead to accomplish this goal. A priest once said that the way we honor our loved ones when they passed on was to incorporate a value or behavior that they possessed in their lives into one's own life (in this manner they continue to live on in our lives). I know that she will be dearly missed but I also know that she is probably very happy with her husband Harry, brother Adri, son Edouard, parents. Carry on her life's teachings in your lives as she would want you to be strong and determined in your mission in life. Love Fian Nooijen - Posted by: fian nooijen (cousin) on: Jan 17, 2013

• I met Nelly through our parish in Winnipeg Beach, where she played the organ. My sister, Theresa and Joe Verdermun also knew Nelly and Joe from way back when. Joe Verdermun has alzheimer's and lives in BC. I had supper with Nelly some years back at her lovely home in Gimli, which she just loved. She was gone every winter, so we didn't get together too much. She was a very gifted, happy person and lived life to the fullest. She was a very christian minded lovely lady who is smiling down upon all of us. A life well lived Nelly! - Posted by: Nellie Groot (Friend) on: Jan 16, 2013

• Although saddened by the news of her passing, we know that "Big Nelly" is now with Harry, my father Adrian and my mother Toos. One of our daughters is named Nellie and, upon learning that she had a cousin named Nelly, she was not pleased. Nelly accepted the "Big" to her name to please our daughter and they had a special bond. My sister, Fian, and I were so delighted to meet family from our father's side in the early 70s. The Nooijen-Vrinten family was spread throughout the world and meeting them was such a welcome experience for us. We also got to meet Nelly's parents on their trip to Houston. Our lives were enriched by their presence in Louisiana and Texas and all the adventures and experiences that they shared with us. We will miss the shared Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations in Lafayette with Nelly playing the piano and singing, but we were all blessed to know Nelly and Harry and the love that they shared. Heaven better be prepared! - Posted by: Christina Adriana Nooijen Latiolais (cousin) on: Jan 16, 2013

• Since we lived on the other side of the globe (Netherlands), I only sparingly met tante Nel and oom Harry. Those rare occasions however, left a profound impression. As did the reports from our grandparents upon returning from visits to Canada; wonderful stories about the journeys they had made and oom Harry, who could drive for days on end. Our cousins however, were always portrayed as the most virtuous and wonderful children any parent could hope for. It was years later that Eefje and I first met and found out that we had been told the same stories. For that very reason, we had initially not been overly keen to meet our 'fantastic cousins' from abroad. Pretty soon we actually found out that may-be we were quite the opposite to the legends that had preceded us. We actually seemed normal human beings with a sense of humour. I never held it against my grandparents, just thought that my aunt and uncle hadn't done such a bad job after all! Dear Yvonne, Harry, Marie-Anne and Eveline my thoughts are with you. Kind regards Onne Vrinten. - Posted by: Onne Vrinten (Nephew) on: Jan 16, 2013

• We were both born in Rotterdam, with 11 years difference. Due to this difference of age and the fact we had to leave for England on the 10th may 1940, we had a completely different upbringing. I think I had the easier time!! She went to work in England for opne of the Ministries and met Harry, who came from the Indies, workin for the Ministry of Colonies.. She got married in 1942 and left with baby Yvonne in 1943 for the US, onto Australia, where Harry was born, and then finally to the Dutch East Indies, where Marie Anne was born. She had various very difficult and hard times. I never read (phones existed but you could not call) that she complained. Different countries and different cultures. They came back to Holland in 1949. Eddie and Eveline were born but Harry did not have work. So he went to Canada. Nel and the five children joined him after some time. Those were hard times./ They both studued and worked hard. Nel always preferred studying, teaching etc. to household work and she enjoyed what she was doing. She had a lot of subjects she was interested in, was very socially minded. I greatly admired the way she took her life in hand after the shock of Harry's death. She did not sit down and mope but pulled herself together, worked in the hospitals in Gimli and Harlingen, enjoyed meeting people. I shall always remember Nel in this way, she is a very good example for me and for many other people. I wish you all the very best for tomorrow, shall be thinking of you all. Love Joyce - Posted by: Joyce Madlener-Vrinten (sister) on: Jan 16, 2013

• Nelly was indeed a woman of great ease with all people. My friendship with her will be one that I will definitely treasure. I enjoyed her books and the many poems she shared with me. I loved my holidays in Harlingen. She welcomed me as a daughter. How my heart breaks for all the family...I love all of you. I just wish I could be there to hold you in my arms to comfort you ....and of course, make you gumbo so your bodies would be strong and warm enough to face the days ahead. My prayers abound for all of you. - Posted by: Linda LeBert-Corbello (Friend) on: Jan 16, 2013