Lost My Favorite First Cousin

On May 3, only 3 days after my Pieter went to heaven, I lost my favorite first Cousin: Hans Gijsen.

His memorial service was one day after my Pieter's.

Needless to say, it felt a bit overwhelming for posting about it then.

Now it is time to pay him some homage...

First cousin Hans in 1981

Me in 1985, and you can clearly see we're related.

Hans' Mom was my Dad's older sister Mia, and I've been rather close to her.

Still keep her letters that she wrote from the hospital.

She passed away on February 8, 1989 and got buried on my Mom's 65th Birthday...

Cousin Hans was an excellent artist! This is a watercolor from April 10, 2020

Animals looked like being alive... April 10, 2020

July 04, 2020

July 18, 2020

Another lifelike four–legged friend who really looks at you!

Pieter also said, and those eyes like that! It's not easy to put the shine in there as well. Leave it to Hans!

Kudos from your American cousin and cousin by marriage 💗💗

Hans replied: Thank you, dear cousin

Do you also look at your Messenger? Say, you obviously have Grandpa's gift in your blood, he could make beautiful pen drawings.

July 29, 2020 Villy Banditto

It has become a sweet Banditto and also totally 'cuddly'! 💗

Hans: Thank you 

Another cat head ready on August 30, 2020

To which I wrote: A beautiful cat portrait

On September 30, 2020 Orange Cat eye and a white cat's eye!

They LIVE; again worked out so well!

Hans replied: thank you so much for your inspiring compliment

Me: Well deserved, I don't give anything away for nothing...

Hans: Okay, thanks anyway

Hans studied with Rebecca Rhodes Watercolors from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

Hans also loved his real life kitties, that was a thing we had in common.  
He is united with his Parents once again and at peace after fighting cancer.

Related posts:

My Pieter went to Heaven on April 30 | previous post by me

May 10, 2024 Pieter J C Vedder's Memorial Service

 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.

Related links:Lovely White Stock & Baby's Breath from Trader Joe's | previous post by meMozart – Lacrimosa | YouTube videoGregorian Chant : Dies Irae (Lyric Video) | YouTube video as the microphone was OFF when Michael Dwain Little played it on the organ and chanted it...I Believe SATB – Mark Miller – CGA1310 | YouTube video and SATB = Soprano, Alto, Tenor, BassMy Pieter went to Heaven on April 30 | previous post by me and THANKS for your replies!!!Our Final Easter Together | Previous post with link to Father Seán Coyle from Dublin, IrelandHusband Pieter was the 3rd VEDDER Ensign Bearer in Groessen, The Netherlands | This shows another image of Pieter in his historic uniform, tailor made for him in Amsterdam. Gil Gillis found it the most impressive photo...Pieter a Former Motorcycle Guy ALWAYS Remained one at Heart! | previous post by me1958 Tragedy for Pieter's Mushroom Friends in Zichen-Zussen-Bolder in Belgium | United Again!

Feeling carried by LOVE from around the world and countless private messages 💞

Since Pieter's passing I have regained 2 kg or 4.4 pounds — weighing now 45.3 kg or 99.8 pounds.

In the end of March I was 45.9 kg or 101 pounds

A True Love Story NEVER ENDS | previous post by me...

My Pieter went to Heaven on April 30

 

This photo I selected for his obituary as it embodies him so perfectly!

A happy and humble man 

Pieter J.C. Vedder SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Commercial Mushroom Cultivation and Education passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at his home.

Pieter was born on april 29, 1929, in Duiven, the Netherlands during the Great Depression, the youngest son of three. He was baptized the same day in the Catholic St. Andreas Church of Groessen. There he was a member of the Church choir, from his youth on.

The war years left a deep impression on Pieter's entire life. Being evacuated and finding the house half bombed when they returned home, as well as the glass greenhouses in shards. Pieter's Dad grew peaches, plums, grapes, and tomatoes under glass.

Pieter played the accordion for the recording of a spoken letter to his two brothers who were deployed in Indonesia during the national revolution.

Training partially interrupted for his military service, from 4 October 1950 to 1 February 1952. Graduated in 1957 with university education in Wageningen, for horticulture and horticultural engineering, with excellent grades. Pieter also had a degree in teaching.

In 1957 he became assistant A of the Research Station for Mushroom Cultivation.

In 1961 he published his first publication Modern Mushroom Growing; 5 more editions followed.

In 1962 he became an instructor and head of the Education Department and was involved in the establishment of the Center for Mushroom Cultivation Education.

Pieter's Dad died on April 21, 1967, so he knew that his youngest became principal!

By 1978, his book had been translated into 5 languages and was called a unique achievement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Directorate of Agricultural Education. Total of 9 languages now and has been called the MUSHROOM BIBLE.

Pieter was very active as a Committee Member for Youth Affairs, in the municipality of Horst.

Also, as Chairman of Youth and Nature

Member of the Board of Housing and Management, Venray–Horst region

Member of the Dean's Financial Committee of the Deanery of Horst

Member of the Diocesan Financial Commission Limburg

Pieter was a member of the Rotary Club Venray, since May 11 of 1976 and President Rotary Club Venray 1978/1979

Honorary President Rotary Club Royal Forest of Dean in U.K. 1978/1979

Rotary member Montebelluna, Italy

Rotary member Dublin, Georgia and Paul Harris Fellow 1996/1997 now Honorary member for several years.

In 1982, Pieter received the Sinden Award from the Mushroom Growers Association in the U.K.—the highest accolade in the Mushroom Industry.

Worked for Campbell Soup International as Vice President Training and Development from August 1983 to March 1989.

People to People Citizen Ambassador in March/April 1987. Pieter, being a world renown mushroom expert, got chosen for joining a group of 10, to visit Universities, lecturing and making field trips on behalf of the Mushroom Industry. His employer Campbell Soup did fully cover his expenses.

Head of the Technology Division at Fungi del Montello in Italy from 1 March 1989 to February 1990.

Dieng Djaya in Indonesia from 1 March 1990 to April 1992 and until 2001 as a consultant.

International Consultant with partner Mariette from 1992 to 2004 and only then time for our own house and garden. Pieter played the Es–trumpet and trombone while in the military. Pieter also played the organ for the Catholic Church, and he played the accordion. Music was one of his hobbies, as were photography and gardening. He also loved cycling and did so on his E–bike until April 7, 2024

In 2020, we together self–published our book 'modern mushroom growing 2020 harvesting' for print on demand worldwide. In this way, Pieter's intellect has been preserved and thousands more can benefit from it. Quite proud that it is listed in the U.K. as a university textbook.

Thus ends an intensive but very humble life, focused on Commercial Mushroom Cultivation Education and also a life of always being there for others and often pro bono. We both have always been very committed to lifting the stigma around leprosy, something Princess Diana did so intensely. A biblical disease of people who have no voice. We visited the same leprosy hospital near Jakarta, Indonesia that Princess Diana did visit and helped raise funds for those voiceless.

Pieter was a great supporter and board member of the local Heart of Georgia Community Concert Association and the Dublin Association of Fine Arts, Inc. Under his leadership and diplomacy, the two merged.

Pieter's Dad died in 1967 and his mother in 1989. Middle brother Toon in 2006 and eldest brother Thé in 2012. He has an adopted daughter Liz Vedder in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and foster daughter Anita Anggraeni in Semarang, Indonesia. His goddaughter and niece Myriam with daughters Sanne and partner with great–great niece Bobbie, Lotte and son Auke, and niece Judith (Hems) and great–niece Nienke.

His wife of over 40 yers, Mariette VandenMunckhof–Vedder

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday May 10, 2024 at Dublin First Methodist Church.

Stanley Funeral Home and Crematory/Dublin Chapel has charge of the arrangements.

Related links:

May 10, 2024 Pieter J C Vedder's Memorial Service | post about Memorial Service

Our Final Easter Together | wrote my final letter to Pieter...

Silver Clock and Oak Wall Clock repaired by Pieter | earlier letter to Pieter

Pieter's Music Booklet from WWII Era | how Pieter learned to play his first accordion

Fond Memories of my Paternal Grandmother and Mother–in–law who were BEST Friends

Had these images for a long time but I myself was not able to remove some 'wild' background...

June 1983 at the terrace of Pieter's eldest brother's home... in Horst, The Netherlands.

From left to right: Pieter's Mom in wheelchair, my Paternal Grandmother (they were BEST FRIENDS and sang in the choir), me and my Mom to the right. 

Ingrid from Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs ←click on link—even framed it...

Me with my Paternal Grandmother

And in a frame...

On April 5, my dear Mother–in–law had her 129th Birthday in heaven.

On April 11, my dear Paternal Grandmother had her 231st Birthday in heaven.

Mom did fill in for her when she died in 1984 and sang in the choir till her death in 2015.

Very special memories!

Now it is only me singing in the chancel choir as soprano...

Related link:

Angelic Beauties | Ingrid's post about them

Our Acapulco, Mexico Vacation I

 Yes, we have enjoyed some very special vacations in Acapulco, México.

A country where we both worked for over ten years as consultants.

View of Acapulco Bay from our room 2103 at the 21st floor

My flight ticket home on February 25, 2005. 

We arrived on February 15...

Hyatt Regency Acapulco was our home for those 10 days...

It read: WELCOME TO THE PEARL OF THE PACIFIC! 

Of course with our Hyatt card we had access to Regency Club.

Quite a luxury which we enjoyed world wide!

City view and you see bottom right they even had a Walmart Super Center

View of the 3 big pools and the beach with large tropical garden all around

View from the beach

View towards hotel, from beach area

We both loved the lush tropical garden setting...

Such a happy place to be together!

Well, on February 18, we both made a phone call to The Netherlands, using our American Express card. This due to the somber news of Wilhelmien, Pieter's middle brother Toon's love. She had pancreatic cancer and only three more weeks to live.

That was a rip off but to both of us those 7 minutes talking to her for US $ 49.89 was worth it!

It sure did lift her up 💕

On Sunday, February 20, we also prayed for her during Mass at noon, on the 23rd floor.

Our boss Tino and his wife Carmen drove four hours down from México City on the Maxi Pista for visiting us! They arrived on August 23.

We felt honored and enjoyed this dinner together at the Kookaburra restaurant across from our hotel on the Acapulco Bay. It is unique due to its spectacular bay views. See the tree beam to the right of me? A very unique open construction.

We all together went to the old town to see: ACAPULCO, MEXICO — THE CLIFF DIVERS OF LA QUEBRADA ←click for 1 minute video. 

Both of us had seen cliff divers before, in Hawaii

Our last night, we enjoyed this spectacular sunset...

Our arrival flights on February 15, were an adventure as I flew with Continental via Houston and Pieter with United via México City and with Aviasco to Acapulco. But they didn't fly, so he got there with AeroMexico a good hour later.

Going home was another adventure.

We both left for the airport in the taxi I'd bought my round trip ticket for upon arrival. We had hugged Tino and Carmen goodby and left at 10:30 AM for Pieter's earlier flight around noon.

We both only flew with hand luggage so checking in went swift. Pieter had to go to the domestic terminal and I to international so we hugged goodbye.

Pieter's flight got delayed one hour and I worried about his connection in Chicago... from México City and then to Atlanta.

Pieter left at 2:30 PM instead of at noon time—needless to say that he missed his connection with United to Chicago.

He arrived in México City and after pleading with AeroMexico, they gave him a ticket for 8:00 AM next day and non–stop to Atlanta. They also dropped him off at the Riazor Hotel in México City.

Pieter had requested Continental and United to page me but I never heard any message...

In Atlanta around midnight, there was no service at all. The information booth was un–staffed!

Did wait till 0:30 AM and used my spare key from our Mazda Millenia S and sat in the car by 0:50 AM on my way home. 

At home by 2:50 AM when checking the answering machine, sure enough I got a message from Pieter from the Riazor Hotel in México City with his number there and request to call him.

Sorry for having to wake him up—Georgia is one hour ahead of time but Pieter was glad we made contact. He was mad at the airlines for poor service and not contacting me.

Well, by 4:15 AM I was in bed and up again at  8:15 AM and after a light breakfast I was on my way to the airport after I'd gassed up.

Went to the AeroMexico counter after seeing that flight 306 had landed slightly early. They still had to go through customs.

So I had time to verify that Pieter actually had been ON that flight. Went to three people before I finally got my info—after pushing for it.

No, this is protected information for security reason...! Yes, I said but the plane is already on the ground, no longer in the air... So she did check and asked: Pieter?—yes, that's him!

It took Pieter 40 minutes till we could hug each other and were re–united again.

Pieter drove home and went straight to the Country Lane Pet Lodge to pick up our kitties Spooky and Barty boy. 

That was the closing of United Airlines for us after this adventure with the frequent flyer 'free ticket' for Pieter. Well, still $ 60 and he paid $ 375 for the small segment from México City to Acapulco. The gain was merely $ 200 compared to my ticket of $ 605 all in with Continental. 

Pieter vowed to never travel separately again!

Related link:

International Calling as it WAS | previous post by me

Niagara Falls with Sister Diny

 Since my sister Diny would be staying with us for a full month, together with her significant other, we had planned a trip to the Niagara Falls in Canada.

What a sight from our room 2329 at the Marriott

Niagara Falls with Rainbow... on September 20, 2007

A different view and as you can see, we were very lucky with the weather!

Yes, via Internet I'd managed to get us a room with the Niagara Falls view on their TOP floor 23!

Lunch at the restaurant of Marriott

overlooking the Falls

Joop, me and sister Diny

Wearing my favorite silk jacket from Escada...

Feeling happy for having reached our destination...

What a perfect day!

Diny with Pieter

It was quite a trip for both of us!

From Dublin, Georgia via Augusta, Charlotte North Caroline where we ate lunch at a Bob Evans, Dobson North Caroline to gas up, via the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap North Carolina. We went to Hyatt Place in Roanoke Virginia  for our first night.

Next day, Pieter drives first and then we let Diny drive into Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—a historic moment for Joop. By 18:00 we leave the museum and shops at Gettysburg after an ice cream and beer for Joop at a terrace. A long ride of 310 km for me in heavy traffic to Morristown in New Jersey where we spent the night at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites. 

Next day we went to the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlet.

Then Pieter drives the first stretch towards the Niagara Falls and at Whitney Point, New York he gassed up and I do the rest.

Next day we stayed at the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in East Norristown, Pennsylvania for two nights.

We did go to the Campbell's Headquarters in New Jersey and stocked up on our favorite Godiva dark chocolate with raspberries. 

Over the Ben Franklin Bridge, I drove them to Shillington, Pennsylvania where we used to live and we visited antique stores in Adamstown.

Next day we went to Hyatt Summerfield Suites in Charlotte, North Carolina after a stop at Replacements Ltd. 

Home next day... For our Infiniti FX35 we accumulated 4,896 km with 520 liters gas at $ 416

From my hometown of Horst, The Netherlands that would be the equivalent of traveling to Kiev in the Ukraine.

Or from Horst, Netherlands all the way south to Madrid in Spain.

We sure did go the extra mile!

But we found this in our guest book for an entire month of hosting them...

~

While visiting my Uncle Louis in Broken Hill, NSW/Australia he discussed the vastness of their country and ours.

He too had to pick up relatives from the airport—the big one long distance, not their local airport where I flew in from Melbourne on a weekend while working there.

My aunt Nelly with her husband came to Australia for two months and Uncle Louis toured 6,000 km with them...

That sure did top off our mileage but he wanted to share that, as there is so much difference between these continents.

Related links:

6th NAMC and Niagara Falls | previous post by me

Visiting Uncle Louis in the Australian Outback of Broken Hill, NSW | previous post by me