On exactly the day that WWII started in The Netherlands—May 10 of 1945—we held a meaningful Memorial Service for my Pieter.
Most has been chosen by Pieter himself and got listed in his Last Will as such.
Shortly before the service started...
Fresh white fragrant stock got delivered as they were Pieter's favorite flower.
He told me of growing them with his Dad in the greenhouse for use at the annual Sacraments Procession.
I've used the fine silk batik tablecloths, gift from Indonesia in 2004.
Center cloth covers the cremated remains.
Turned out they fit perfectly with the chairs in the loft and with the carpet.
Indonesia meant so much for both of us so this was Perfect!
Left photo shows brother Toon, me and Pieter in Saint Augustine, Florida.
Toon's daughter Myriam was here with me and helping me set up everything...
Myriam was Pieter's only Goddaughter!
Christy's from East Dublin did such an excellent job in arranging these white stock or Matthiola incana inside a white vase.
Pieter J.C. Vedder
April 29, 1929 – April 30, 2024
Don't forget to turn on CC = Closed Captions!
Pieter's Requiem Choice
Pieter had requested in his Last Will specific music to be played at his Memorial Service.
That also included a request of participation from my former chancel choir music director, Michael Dwain Little and our former Pastor Keith Goodlett.
Catering a full luncheon would be done by Roy Grenade.
The usual technician handling the two big video cameras and the sound board with different microphones to be turned on during Michael Dwain Little's organ play and chanting... was not present during the Memorial Service.
We can never go back and do it over again and it sure was painful! We had it so well planned, set up and worked out.
Oh, the book for registering names was not at the entrance of the Church but on a side table in the fellowship hall where the lunch was served.
She never used the cameras the way she was supposed to do. Only showing the front pews on the right side of the Church...
But after cutting out the spots without image or sound, I got this.
Dear long–time friend of both of us, Gil Gillis, who used to run the local TV station agreed to use the photos that I'd prepared for showing.
That too was NOT done, only a few during the luncheon.
Pieter's favorite piece of music Adagio (Albinoni) that strikes a chord...
Also, Mozart's Lacrimosa (Tearful) was one of Pieter's favorites and he himself sang often DIES IRAE A Capella with some other boys from the impressive 100–member choir in Groessen, The Netherlands.
It just is SAD, that some insignificant people abused their power for denying my very humble, but larger than life Pieter, his final wishes.
Knowing that from Heaven, Pieter still is pleased with Keith Goodlett and Michael Dwain Little's efforts to adhere to his Last Will.
Kathy Jones as soprano, as requested by Pieter.
Also dear friend Mary Louise Goodie McRae added to that in a touching way.
Mozart's Lacrimosa (Tearful) was not audible...
It has such a depth of human emotions and thus transcends all languages and cultures!
See link below post.
I Believe, Mark A Miller
I believe in the sun, I believe in the sun, even when, even when it's not shining.
I believe in love, even when, even when I don't feel it.
I believe in God, I believe in God, even when, even when God is silent.
Indeed, the final Musical Moment – Hungarian Dance #4, Johannes Brams very much reflected the way we both lived...
Music is the shorthand of emotion~Leo Tolstoy quote
Thank you
Words cannot express how grateful our family is for your generous support, encouraging words, and thoughts and prayers. Your kindness will always be remembered with deep gratitude.
The Family of
Pieter J.C. Vedder
If you would like to provide a memorial donation,
checks can be made out to Mariette Vedder for
the Leprosy Project in Indonesia which was near to his heart.
