We met her 35 years ago. The first Dutch person I ever met and the only person we ever met who could grow delicious strawberries in the Sahara Desert. She was the only person we knew who could wash dishes without water or calm a crying infant with a simple touch of her hand. She taught us that what counts the most cannot usually be counted. We were all so young then, newlyweds in fact. Ben, a true blue gift to the planet. May she return if possible to her tree of great shade.
Bas, Sarah & Mijke, please accept our utmost sympathy for such a loss. She loved you all unconditionally and shared that love with you in ways you probably didn't even realize. Special, special, lady who we admired greatly.

Jon, Sharon, Suzanne and Jessica Newman
Tahoua, Niger
1980-1985