Pat was a long-time member of the Woman's Club of Playa del Rey and had a wonderful manner in welcoming new members. She has been missed by those who new her.

As Nelly (or Pat as she is called in the US) was almost 15 years older, she was more like an older sister to me than my niece. And as she lived in Amersfoort and I in Amsterdam, we only saw each other when I went with my parents to visit hers.

Nelly moved to the United States when I was not even 10 years old and from than on the contact was only through letters and Birthday or Christmas Cards.

In the summer of 1985, my husband (Cor) and I went to the United States for the first time. We had a wonderful time with Nelly and she was a great tour guide. It was the beginning of several visits to her thereafter, almost every time when we went on vacation.

Nelly loved everything that was colored in Delft-Blue, and any present in that color was always welcome. Also, the famous Dutch stroopwafels (syrup waffles) or chocolate were enjoyed very much. Nelly loved to read magazines of the Dutch royal family, which we have send regular.

Nelly will be dearly missed. May she now rest in peace.

Our condolences go to Mike, Rob, Laura and Kristin.

I remember my dear friend the very proud woman that she was, We met through our sons (Richard and Robert) when they attended school together in Playa del Rey/Westchester . Boys were about 12. Pat and I would see each other at sports events. Being a single parent and working I did not have too much social time. We both loved our clothes shopping and of course she looked like a stunning model and smiled at the world very proudly. Pat will never be forgotten and I pray she is looking down at us all here and so happy

Pat and I have been friends since 1964 . I had just moved to Santa Monica when this beautiful lady knocked on my door and said she wanted to know if she could see my baby girl, who was just three weeks old. Since that first day we became fast friends! I admired her so much! She has been such a kind, thoughtful loving person to me, so elegant, a wonderful mother to Michael and Robert, my mentor, and my best friend. We have kept in touch for 57 years. Countless cups of tea and shared memories. I will forever miss her!  I love you Pat, sweet dreams my friend!

My most vivid memory of "Pat" (Petronella) was meeting a woman whose physical presence was statuesque and beautiful, with a spirit that was equally vibrant and captivating. She spoke candidly, and with each anecdote, you recognized there was some interesting, untold story somewhere in the corners of her mind -- waiting to be told. Just listen and reveal your curiosity -- and hang on!

As I look at the pictures, I see a woman who lived a life full of change, challenge and style. A woman with no fear or compunction to "enter" and fill a space, a new country, a new era, a new identity. When I see a photo of her moving, I notice her stride captured in motion with intensity and purpose. She is stunning as she moves through her life journey expressing herself through her sense of fashion and charisma. 

It is funny how many of us wait until it is too late to get curious instead of asking the questions of what shaped them when they are right there in their full light in front of us! Pat was always ready to share. As we mourn, we also remind ourselves of the person we think we knew. We find ourselves curious about the person we see in the picture and longing for those nuggets of memory, longing to rekindle and reconnect to a life, to a feeling.  I can imagine that those who knew and loved Pat best were touched by her beauty, courageous spirit and persistence in living a life well-lived and on her own terms no matter the challenges! We celebrate and memorialize this.