I had the please of serving with Nella on the Friendship Board. She was a true servant, using her significant talents to reach all those associated with FM from board member to "Friend", dream and inspire and lead FM administratively, and do so with a charming smile and disposition. She will be missed here on earth, but her smile now belongs to heaven.

Our sweet Nella is gone but not forgotten, you will be missed.

Nella, you have won the race, you have recieved your crown! Well done, you have been a good and faithful servant. Now we who are left behind for awhile will continue the work that you so selflessly started. I only got to meet you once just a few months ago and will forever be grateful for your help in getting a Friendship group started in our church! Terra Ceia Christian Reformed Church

I didn't know Nella well but from what I saw of her she was an amazing, Godly woman. She will be greatly missed. To echo another quote, "Our loss is definitely heaven's gain." We shouldn't be sad because Nella is having the best Easter of all. Her mission and passion will definitely carry on. To her family, Kevin, Andrea, and Trevor- hold your heads high because Nella was very proud of you

Got the news about Nella today. For the 20+ years I have known her, she has always been a solid voice for the developmentally disabled of the world, Her life touched many thousands of others through her work with Friendship Ministries. Heaven has received an angel who had her wings many years before entering the gates of Paradise. We will all miss her.

Jill and I were so blessed by Nella, who understood the need for special churches for people with special needs. I just spoke with her on Tuesday and I am glad that I did. She was so encouraging about the baptismal and communion service that we are doing in Colorado on Tuesday. We will make it a tribute to her life in ministry. Pastor Rich

To Eric, family and staff:
I am praying earnestly for you and the family in this terrible loss. I first met Nella on the Disability Committee of the National Council of Churches. Nella was my colleague, friend, and mentor in this ministry. She leaves behind a great legacy of support, love, and compassion for the "lease of these". May God be with you. Rosie

I had the honor of knowing Nella in many capacities, one of which was as her hair stylist and friend. She would exuberantly come into the salon every four weeks with her usual passion for life and people, telling stories... Nella, you showed me the real Jesus who loved people for what was inside of them. You were a light in some of the dark places.

Nella- We only knew you from Friendship when we would come and participate with the special needs people. My brother (George Waldron) was one of those people and he cared for you a great deal, as I am sure most of the people you showed so much love for. You will be greatly missed by so many. Jack and Gerry Longstreet

Fearless, faithful,funny, flexible, far-sighted, friendly, and in our circles, famous. I can only imagine Nella now saying to a few people, "But I was not done yet!" She led Friendship Ministries to be a bridge between many parts of the Christian tradition and on the cutting edge of inclusive ministries. Religious education usually precedes leadership. Through her, it became leadership.

Rarely have I met such a passionate, compassionate, and tirelessly dedicated person.  Nella reached out so generously, and her reach extended to many. What an amazing legacy she has left to her friends living with disability. May we all learn from and live up to the shining example she has set.

My wife, Karen, and I had the priviledge of meeting Nella in person when we started our Friendship Ministry in 2004. It was at a meeting in British Columbia. We drove from Anacortes, Washington to learn about Friendship Ministry and started a class at Anacortes Christian Church. It has been a real blessing for us and our church. We will miss her. God bless and comfort her family.

Dearest Nella.. Although it has been nearly 20 years since I began my first Friendship Ministry, it seems like yesterday when Cele appointed you as the new Director of FM! You have been the "Heartbeat" of FM ever since! You will be sorely missed by ALL of your "Friends", especially this one.. 
Please give Gabriel XXXOOO from Mommy!

Aunt Nella,
You and Grandma were two of my favorite people. I can't wait to laugh hysterically with both of you again, together. Christmas will be so different without your jokes, warm welcome, and exotic dips. I've never met another cook as good as you. I wish I could have seen you in action at Friendship. You inspire me. Miss you so much!

Nella was the go-to for all of us at the Religion and Spirituality Division of AAIDD, and she was the heart of the division. She was a woman of fierce conviction, a woman of valor (to borrow from my Jewish roots). Most of all, Nella's presence in so many lives was a blessing, and her spirit and her passion remain an enduring legacy. May her memory be for blessing. I will miss you Nella.

I met Nella when we were both young Mommy's and we lived across the street from each other on Cadillac. She was a dedicated Mom and wife and good friend to everyone in the neighborhood. We all counted on her big smile and warmth and generous spirit. I send my deepest sympathy to her children and husband and all of those she counted as friends, family and co-workers. She will be missed.

Nella was a wonderful wife, mother and leader. I babysat for Nella and Eric and later worked with Nella on the Spanish Friendship Ministry (Amistad) lessons. I pray for comfort for the family. I'm so thankful for the many lives she touched over the years.

Nella did so much on a national level for people with developmental disabilities. Her passing is such a loss.

I am so sorry for her family.

Nella,
Scott and I were so grateful to be able to speak to you a few weeks ago ,thanks to modern technology, as you shared from Michigan at a conference in Southern California. Since we met you four years ago, you have graciously encouraged us and our Friendship group.. Friendship has so enhanced the life of our church. Thank you!

Nella, I will miss you. Who else will walk to the National Cathedral in their sandals? or laugh about a SWAT team at an AAIDD conference hotel? I've treasured the last few years I've gotten to work even more closely with you at Friendship. Thanks for helping a young daddy figure out how life goes on after a Down Syndrome baby came along. We will never forget your gentle & loving spirit.

Nella... "The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's great hunger meet." For you, that place was certainly FM. You lived your calling so well! Friendship Class in Sioux Falls, SD thanks you. Your gifts have blessed us. We will miss you.

I was so fortunate to have known and worked with Nella in Disability Ministry. She was a shining example of God's love and I will not forget her.

I only knew Nella as Andrea's mom. In fact, I would call her Andrea's mom or Mrs. Uitvlugt because I could never remember her first name. In the almost 10 years I have been friends with Andrea, I have run into Nella many times and she was always so friendly. My greatest tribute to her is that she raised absolutely wonderful children who had nothing but praise for her. See you in Heaven.

Nella, to know you was to love you and Larry and I were blessed with knowing you and Eric as a young married couple and as we all became parents. You were always a ray of sunshine and a great inspiration to us. Our sympathy to Eric and Children. Judy and Larry

Eric and Family,
Our prayer is that the faith that motivated Nella, and the lives she touched, will sustain you as you mourn her death. Our family has also experienced the blessing of Friendship Ministries and we thank God for Nella's leadership.

I knew Nella through Andrea and loved Nella from the moment I met her. Her infectious laugh was what I looked forward to the most whenever I visited her. She was a bright, vibrant, woman of God who was so full of life and you couldn't help but want to be just like her. She called me her "adopted daughter" and I will miss her greatly. Have fun in Heaven, Nella :)

God rest your precious soul, Nella. Thank you for leading us to the Father through the Son, for reminding us that all of us belong.
You were a strong and necessary voice in the wilderness...

I have been a designer for Friendship for years and had the incredible pleasure of working with her on many projects and she even visited my house about 2 years ago in Orlando and had the chance to meet the wonderful human being that she was, a real inspiration, a great heart. My prayers to the family and lets celebrate her life and legacy... we'll miss you.

On behalf of myself and all the members of the Religion and Spirituality Division of AAIDD, we wish to extend our sincere condolences to Nella's family and friends. Her efforts to assist our group were always of very high quality and marked by her humor and loving grace. She will be dearly missed as a colleague and very special friend.

Nella, i am so grateful for your ministry at Plymouth Heights and the wonderful inspiration you were to all of us. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten!

Nella,
I don't know what to say. My heart is broken that you left us so soon. But what an impact you have left here, there is no doubt that you are with Jesus now.
Here is a link to a video I made of everyone singing happy birthday to Nella at friendship! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH-LmZik2DI)

I learned to know Nella through ecumenical disabilities advocacy connections, primarily through the NCC Committee on Disabilities. What an inspiration she was to so many of us in the wider Christian community! Her ability to network us with the right people and resources was amazing and will be sorely missed!

Nella was one of the first people in the disability ministry world beyond my own organization to encourage me as I began my work with Anabaptist Disabilities Network. She is someone I have turned to repeatedly for resources, ideas, and encouragement. I will definitely miss her warmth, insight, and experience.

I didn't have the opportunity to know this wonderful woman of God, but I admire her for her work of bringing souls to Jesus and teaching us how to do the same. May the love of Jesus cover and keep her family during this difficult time.

So grateful for Nella's ministry. Prayers for the Uitvlugt family.
Susan

I first met Nella at a Disability Concerns meeting. I soon learned the following: She had strong opinions. She didn't mess around when it came to her friends who had disabilities. She had a huge network of fellow advocates who fought the fight right by her side. But I learned even more since then. She was a humble, devoted, and inspired follower of God, and I have learned from her example.

Nella's passion for reaching out with the Gospel of our Lord to those who have intellectual/developmental disabilities has reached many hundreds of mentors and friends, sparking a growth in this ministry that we would be hard-pressed to match. Thanks, Nella, for devoting such energy to this mission...an energy that will be sorely missed.

Nella will be dearly missed and we thank God for the legacy she leaves with us - her advocacy, resourcefulness and friendship. She raised the level of sensitivity and inclusion awareness in many local churches including our own at Centre Street Church, Calgary, Canada.

What a terrible shock and loss for Eric, the rest of the family, and for the thousands of us who loved Nella. I appreciated her wisdom, chutzpah, advocacy, love for people, and passion for the church to be the welcoming community God intended it to be. She was a friend, confidante, and trustworthy advisor. I thank God for her life and work and the legacy she leaves.

I never met Nella personally but always hoped it might happen as she had the same passion as I have, to see people with disabilities fully welcomed into church and valued as people who could also participate using their gifts. She inspired and encouraged me in my work in Latin America as I teach and raise awareness about this issue and I am grateful for all she did. Thankyou Nella.

Nella's pioneering spirit and willingness to learn and risk in an area of tremendous ministry need are attributes that challenge us all. Her accomplishments and dedication make her one of the most powerful examples of the hands and feet of Jesus. Nella, we will miss you very much!

I still have a Nella quote written down as a reminder of her passion to serve all of our friends with an IDD - "God has already included them - they need full participation." Thank you Nella for the love you have shown through the Lord to serve all. All of us were blessed to share this short journey with you and we look forward to seeing you once again.

We will miss Nella as part of our community in ministry with our friends with intellectual disabilities. Nella was always an encouragement, had fresh ideas and would take time to offer wisdom insight that advanced all of our ministries. In a world with limited Bible study resources, Nella advance our ministries with materials that helped us share the Good News! Mostly, she was a friend!

Although I did not know Nella personally, I was introduced to her via mail years ago when I was searching for answers and guidance regarding a girl with disabilities in my church. She came to my assistance and ever since then I have followed her and Friendship Ministries trusting one day I could put to service all that I have learned from her ministry. How saddened...praying for all.

In gratitude and with prayers...the Friendship Club at Faith Community CR Church, Beaver Dam WI

Thanking God for the joy of getting to meet Nella and learn from her passion and love for the Lord and for individuals and families affected by disabilities. I especially loved talking with her about worship and being the body of Christ together. I join so many others in praying for her family and for Friendship Ministries.

Saddened to hear of the death of our dear Nella. "We sorrow not as those who have no hope ." I look forward to that grand reunion in heaven with Nella and all those whose lives she has touched .
 
Friendship circle coordinator ,
Grace community church, Dallas Pa

Thank you Nella for your passion and love for the disabled community. You have inspired me many times to continue in this ministry by your wonderful example. Pryaing for your family and all your Friends that God's peace would be with them at this time.

So sorry to hear of Nella's passing. I enjoyed her presentation at Breakforth Canada in Edmonton last month. She had a huge heart for the disabled. We have a multi handicapped adult son and it was wonderful to see how God used her ministry. Prayers for the family and staff.

Nella was such a gift to the church--and to her friends at Faith Alive. Her passion for people with disabilities was evident in all she did. She worked tirelessly to challenge the church to become more inclusive. She inspired everyone she met with her moving stories and her conviction. We will miss her deeply.