In 2001 Marieke and me travelled to New Zealand from the Netherlands, to visit her seven second-cousins and their parents: Gerard en Annie. They (already an older couple) welcomed us at their home, let us sleep over multiple times at their nice house in Palmerston North. And we had a lovely time meeting them, talking about the reason why they left Holland after the war, on the boat to 'the bigger fields' for keeping far more dairy cows. And sharing the adventures we experienced driving around in our (bought in New Zealand) golden 'Ford Laser'. During our stay there, Annie stole our hearts because of the way she was: such a friendly personality, welcoming, warm, funny, 'young of heart', careless(on the golf course), socializing so easily as if we had known each other our whole lives...As if there was no age-difference between us, as if I was her own close family. The way she smiled, made her shine a light in the room and looked as if she was a (forever) young girl. That laughter and 'cheeky' face she showed us (two Dutch young girls), I will always remember dearly. Annie will always keep a special warm place in my heart.... It was beautiful and so so Blessed to be able to meet all of you(r family) on that trip, together with your familymember Marieke. It warms me, every time I think back about it or share it with someone (which I still do every once in a while). I send all of you who we met back then, my condoleances for this great mum and grandma you lost. After Gerard already died.. Annie made such a great age> 97> wow So may God bless & comfort you all through these times of grieve, and please keep celebrating her life together and sharing all the wonderful family memories that you had with her (and your dad and granddad Gerard). Kind regards, friendly greetings from Deventer, Marije Ambags (I am sorry I can not find an old photo of lovely Annie in 2001 to send with this tribute)

Grateful I got to know you, Annie! Such al positive, energetic, powerfull lady, respect! Kind regards, Marieke van Dijk

A lovely graceful lady gone to rest. Thank you for friendship and smile