Petronella Johanna Radies

Petronella Johanna Radies (Zandvliet)

Nel was born in Sassenheim, Netherlands on April 10th 1938, the only girl in a family of 3 boys. Life was not easy during the Nazi occupation of Holland. She watched the German soldiers march past the living room windows and got into trouble with her mom for sticking out her tongue at them. Nel’s family immigrated to Canada in 1952, when she was a teenager settling on an orchard at Osoyoos. Nel grew into a beautiful young woman and one day while she was donating blood, a young Canadian soldier offered to buy her a coffee. Eventually they married and lived on various military bases in Canada. The military lifestyle with its social opportunities suited Nel perfectly. Wherever she was she always found work in retail services, especially loving fashion. She became a skilled seamstress and an accomplished knitter. With 2 kids to raise, she was kept busy making clothes for herself and her kids. Along came 3 grandkids, and more sewing and knitting. Nel enjoyed spending time at the curling rink and volunteering with the Lions Club. She had a special relationship with her neighbours, Jenna and Kerri-Ann. Then came retirement where she enjoyed travelling to Osoyoos to visit family, trips to Alaska, New York and Vegas. Dementia started to creep into her life and slowly she lost her independence, but never lost her sparkling smile. Resilient, caring, skilled, playful and sparkly; that was Nel.

With her son there to comfort her, Nel passed away on May 29 at Hillside Village Care Centre in Salmon Arm. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur and brothers Adriaan and John. She is survived by her daughter Valerie (Dale) and grandson Jacob (Briana); her son, Alan (Wanda), grandkids Kirsten and Greg (Caitlin); her brother Martin; numerous nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. We miss her.

Interment to be held in the fall. In memory of Nel, donations may be made to Armstrong Spallumcheen Food Bank or Salmon Arm SPCA.