<div itemprop="description">The Lord peacefully took Petronella Elisabeth "Nellie" (nee Van Den Berg) Ravensbergen home on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Born on Christmas Eve 1925, she was the beloved wife of the late Cornelis "Kees" Ravensbergen. <br> <br>Treasured mother of Jan Willem (Claire): Frances (Glenn); Margaret (Edward); Judy (Gerald); and Linda (Paul). <br> <br>Cherished Oma to 19 grandchildren. Beloved Grote-Oma to 22 great-grandchildren. <br> <br>Nellie exemplified bedrock values: strict self-discipline and boundless love; profound and enduring faith; abiding commitment to family and community; and an instructive and inspiring combination of thrift and generosity. <br> <br>Whenever circumstances in her judgment required it, Nellie proved wily, resourceful, and stubborn. <br> <br>An avid reader, she savoured daily Bible studies and commentaries, sweeping family sagas, anything by Nicholas Sparks, and books on Biblical history. In recent years, she would on occasion sheepishly confess that she had stolen much of her day away from her ever-present "To-Do" list in order to immerse herself in an engaging novel... <br> <br>A brain tumour diagnosed last March progressively eroded her capacity for independent living. Until very recently, however, it did not diminish her appreciation - for food, visitors, stimulating conversation, insights into how the world now works, Rummikub, Sudoku, ginger treats, strong Dutch-style coffee, cookies, pastries, and above all chocolates, floral bouquets featuring tulips, and her beloved red geraniums. <br> <br>Always glowing at family celebrations, she would invariably declare: "We should have more parties!" <br> <br>Into her final days, her mind remained sharp and active. <br> <br>Nellie was resolute, independent-minded, loving, pragmatic, usually serene, and always dignified. For more than a half-century, she was also a dependable pillar of Church and community outreach, quietly making visits to those isolated at home or in hospital, or with other needs. During the late 1980s, Nellie served as the first woman elected to the Board of Lakeshore Evangelic Church in Dorval <br> <br>As family matriarch, Nellie shared fully and freely of her joys, contentment, faith, and — politely but always with Dutch directness - her opinions, wisdom, and experience. <br> <br>Nellie was the last survivor of the 12 children of Jan Van Den Berg and Petronella Elisabeth "Pietje" Leeuwen, a farm family of Wassenaar, The Netherlands, on the outskirts of The Hague. During World War II, she was pressed into service as a milkmaid on a horse-drawn delivery wagon for the family's small dairy business in Occupied Holland. Nellie had to replace brothers imprisoned by the Nazis - in expectation of their execution because of their work in one of the many Resistance groups. <br> <br>Following their 1953 marriage, Nellie and Kees ventured overseas to Bogota, Colombia, when Kees got a three-year contact for remote oilfield work. Seeking a more stable and less isolated environment for their fledgling family, they then returned for six months to Zandvoort, near Amsterdam. <br> <br>In 1957, they moved into the Pointe Claire bungalow where Nellie ultimately outlived Kees during their 57-year marriage. In August 2013, by then a well-travelled widow, Nellie downsized and moved into her sun-splashed "Little Crestview" apartment in the Manoir Kirkland. She always described this cozy seventh-floor haven as "next door to Heaven." Family and friends are exceptionally grateful for the care, concern, and love demonstrated in ways big and small by all the wonderful Manoir staff during her many gratifying years there. <br> <br>On May 31, Nellie announced, with joy and enthusiasm, to staff and fellow residents: "Next week, I will be in Heaven!" <br> <br>During her final days, the inspiring professional care team, support staff, and volunteers at the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence warmly and compassionately embraced Nellie and the family and friends at her bedside. <br> <br> <br>For this blessing as well, our family expresses infinite gratitude. We invite donations in Nellie's memory to help sustain this vital, priceless community resource: <br> <br>Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence, at 265, rue André-Brunet St. in Kirkland, QC H9H 3R4. Phone: 514 693-1718, ext. 223 - Via email: donations@tdpcr.ca or Website :https://residencesoinspalliatifs.ca/en/donate/ <br> <br>Celebration of Life: Sunday, June 30 beginning at 2 p.m., Lakeshore Evangelical Church, 470 Brookhaven Ave., Dorval Celebration will be livestreamed at www.lakeshorechurch.ca <br> <br>Reception follows. <br> <br>A private funeral service and interment will take place at Rideau Memorial Gardens - after which Nellie will once rest beside her beloved Kees. This time for eternity. <br> <br> <br>1 Corinthians 13:13: <br> <br>So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. <br></div>
