My cousin and my friend. I don’t think you knew how much you touched people. To me, I always felt enriched and happy after every encounter with you. You were like a counselor, I could tell you anything and there was never judgement, only words with wisdom and love. You made me smile and laugh with your unique sense of humour. You made me feel good about myself. I wish you knew how much you impacted my life and from what I am hearing, you did the same for everyone else who came in contact with you. Your love for animals, nature, children and adults alike was a great testament to your soul. My world has been a bit emptier without you in it. Yesterday as I was hanging out the washing, there was a dead bird, a thrush. My three dogs sniffed it and walked away - it was dead. When I was done with the washing, I went inside to get a plastic bag to pick it up in. As I was picking it up - it came to life!! At that moment, I thought of Henriette telling me “you may all perceive me as dead, but in reality I am very much alive in spirit”. Rest well Henri and say hello to our Dads.

Im so happy I came to NZ in 2016 and 2019. Riding horses with you, spending time with you and our beautiful family is something i'll never forget! You made me feel so welcome and loved. Back in Holland I wrote you that me and my mum wanted to bring you a visit one day. You wrote back; "that will be awesome if you and your mum come to New Zealand!!" Unfortunately we cannot bring you this visit anymore. I will bring this visit through my heart now. Thankyou for everything, the beautiful and warm lady you were. Im gonna miss you. Sending lots of love to my family.

Im so gratefull you came to see Michael and me to say goodbye the last day before you went to NZ. You lived my dream with your beatifull horses riding on the beach. I wish the family a lot of strengt.

Between 1990 and 1996 Henriette was my stepmother. I can truly say I only have wonderfull memories of her. She was warm and we always did really nice things in the weekends that we were together. We had a really nice time when she was in the Netherlands. I will miss her very much and find it incredibly sad that she is no longer with us. I wish Sanna, Bella and Jordan strength in coping with the loss of their mother and grandmother. Lots of love and strength! Michael (NL)

Henriette, my heart is heavy thinking about your departure. But the overwhelming presence of the many you touched speaks so much volume. We worked together all last year every day of the week hand in hand you teaching me not just to work with you and touch the lives of the kids but you taught me so much more in my personal life. You were a very special person to me and were there through every up and down with positivity and wisdom. Helped my children as well as so many more. I'll forever miss our laughs, coffees and horse treks together. We got so busy these last few months and just hadn't caught up and I'll always regret that. You'll forever be in my heart and the heart of so many. Rest easy my friend. Sending all my love to your family.

Henriette, I hear your voice saying ‘you can do it’, ‘look at you go hun’. I will always remember our 5 hour adventure to the Leeston Pup (pub)., where Reynir broke his tie-up, but waited in the carpark regardless. I am so sad you are gone. Rest easy beautiful lady and ride like the wind across the beaches in the sky x Suzy

I met and worked with Henriette as mental health support worker in Blenheim. She had amazing energy and great ideas for enriching the lives of the people she supported. She would bring her horses in for the day and give the people a chance to pet and interact and also take the more daring for a short ride. She also introduced chickens, by way of fertilised eggs and an incubator so they could watch the miracle of new life hatching. We were all sad when she decided to head South but knew she was doing something she wanted. I enjoyed watching her adventures on facebook and she would occasionally make contact just to say hi. I will miss seeing her adventures with her riding school online. A beautiful soul who has left much too soon.

Aunty, Thank you for being you. You have given me so many memories to cherish! You are a wonderful and strong women, who has left behind a long line of people who appreciate and love you very much. You will always be in my heart. You have your wings now, I love you always, fly high. Love Stevie and family xoxo