Dear friends of Lukina,

As her Dutch family, the nieces and nephews and their partners, we want to express our sadness for the loss we all experience now that Lukina has moved to another dimension. Although we are far away, we feel the emptiness she is leaving behind. We want to wish you strength and wisdom to cope with Lukina not being there anymore.

Our aunt Lukina was the sister of our fathers Pim and Joop, and was sister-in-law of our mothers Wil and Marijke. Lukina was the last survivor and for us as the next generation. Lukina was the last person who was able to tell us stories about their parents Jan and Geertruida, and their childhood in Rotterdam, and also about our parents and childhood! It was always a pleasure to recall those memories with her.  She was a great narrator! With her no longer among us, a part of the Van der Werf ‘library’ is no longer there.

For us aunt Lukina and her much loved Uncle John represented the loyal and loving family abroad. As a young girl, she went to London after the 2nd WW to strengthen and although she briefly came back to the Netherlands, this was the beginning of a life in several countries in the world: working for the oil company Shell and living in The Hague in the Netherlands, London, Leopoldville in the Congo, Casablanca in Marokko, Lagos Nigeria where she met John, soon to be the love of her life!

And after meeting and marrying John in New York on the 3rd of July 1972, Lukina had already quit her job at Shell (love rules!)

Together they worked and lived all over the world with him for Texaco:  in New York, Lagos Nigeria, Qatar, Honduras and eventually in Miami. Her natural elegance and presence, her feeling for hospitality, her working spirit (characteristic for those who are born in Rotterdam) and her talent for languages (English and French) have no doubt helped her to feel at ease in the world. And she always kept on speaking Dutch fluently, even after 70 years abroad!

Lukina (and John) stayed in touch with everyone all over the world and that is where friends were made for life. We’d like to mention her faithful friends Puck&Martin, Wieneke, Nana, Greet & Leendert and the English family Wise that received her with love (and food!) after the war.

Living in Miami (Coral Gables) and having a condominium in Key Colony Beach, after John’s retirement they moved tot the Keys where they lived happily in the "house on stilts".

And always of service for the community. John as a voluntary mayor and Lukina as a broker and she did much for the women movement, organizing concerts and being a member of the board of a hospital.

And off course they enjoyed their boat, fishing, canoeing & the wonderful climate.  And always inviting loved ones to come over and stay and enjoy life with them.

After 17 wonderful years they had to move to West Palm Beach, due to the health of John. John sadly passed away in 2005, but she continued on as the same wonderful host, in her house where everyone was welcome.

And off course aunt Lukina and uncle John were always welcome in the Netherlands - just as we were always welcome in Florida/Key Colony Beach. It was a wonderful treat to be with them. Every one of us has visited them several times and was always received with love, care, adventure and lovely meals. When John was alive and also after his passing away. We sometimes regretted that Lukina couldn’t come back to the Netherlands, because it would have enabled us to see her more often and to give her a helping hand, but after so many years in Florida’s climate, the Dutch rain and temperature didn’t suit her anymore.

The last years have been difficult and we are very very grateful to you all that you have supported Lukina in every possible way.

Christine "Chris" Meier who is no longer amongst us and was no doubt waiting for her up there. Together with Lukina they had a great administration and they could always find everything.  Chris' loving husband Pete was also there for support.

Melody Perkins for all the medical support all those years, always present when needed and keeping focused in urgent situations.

Shellie Metellus for the daily fantastic support during more than 6 years,  in their home in WPB as well as in the assisted livings; dressing her nicely,  always calm and loving.

Sheldon Kirk, for being there as a caring family member on John’s behalf and taking over administration from Chris. We thank him for always informing us when needed.

Connie Norris, Chris Brown, Robert Meyeringh, Rashelle Metellus helping out, visiting, trying to have a chat with her, also in times when this became more difficult. Nicole van der Zweep, who crossed her path via a friend of sister in law Marijke, visited her frequently and that were moments where Lukina could speak her native language.

We hope we did not forget anyone of you.

Support was always there, a great relief for us in the Netherlands.

If we can be of help in any possible way, please let us know. We will do our best to be of support to you. We are sure that Lukina had a good and lovely life and we know that she eventually was ready to fly away. We hope and like to believe that her beloved John and her family and friends have welcomed aunt Lukina with love, peace and care on the other side.

Many best and kind regards and a big online, long distance hug for everyone!

Niko & Marion

Hanneke & Sjef

Frank & Yvonne

Nikoline & Lukina

Also on behalf of Joop & Marijke and Pim & Wil who are no longer amongst us. 

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