"My auntie from America" is what I called her as a child, and I was proud of that. I didn't see Aunt Rita very often, but the times she was in the Netherlands, I enjoyed her very much. Her wisdom has always stayed with me. For instance, when I was only 15 years old and I had a fight with some girls in secondary school, she gave me heart by a card with a beautiful text. I have always carried this one with me and after more than 25 years I still keep it. So how beautiful it was to see her again last February in her beloved America and to give her back a booklet with the same text "Don't Quit" to wish her strength. With my mother, I had a very nice time with Aunt Rita, during which we reminisced and I was able to see with my own eyes how her life played out in America. It also finally brought me the introduction to my cousin Karen and husband David!
Dear aunt Rita, rest in peace! I will never forget you.
Love, Susanne
My oldest sister was like a mother for me. She and her dear husband Ernst invited us many times but only in 1992 Frans and I went for the first time in our lives to the USA.
Ernst and Rita, who was a travel agent,showed us almost the whole USA. It was amazing !! In 1997 we went together on Caribean Cruise. They were experienced cruise travelers.
Last Year we often spoke by telephone. A month before Rita died my daughter and I visit her for the last time. We were very happy and emotional to see eachother and went out for lunch in her favorite restaurants and see all her friends at her old appartment.
We will cherish the sweet memories ❤️ Bodie & Frans
