Obituaries 08-21-2018

Cornelia ‘Corrie Velthuyzen

Proud of her strong Dutch heritage

Cornelia ‘Corrie’ Velthuyzen of Boston passed away on August 7 after a period of declining health. She was 96 years old.

Corrie was born on December 31, 1921 in Martinez, CA, the only child of Nicholas and Madeleine Velthuyzen. She spent her youth in Den Hague, Netherlands under the loving care of her mother  and most beloved grandfather after a vacation swimming accident took the life of Corrie’s father just before her birth.

Dutch children are encouraged to be self-aware and opinionated from an early age. Always proud of her strong heritage and in true Dutch form, this feisty re-haired blue-eyed Netherlander loved to tell you her thoughts on any current event and she often held court relating stories of her upbringing and the lessons taught to her by her grandpa; most importantly, to have a strong work ethic and embrace the qualities of honesty and integrity.

As a domestic servant, Corrie returned to the United States in 1955 with her young daughter, Malaika and settled in Boston. She held a variety of positions, including dictaphone typist at Hardware Mutual Insurance, Admissions Secretary at Emerson College and receptionist at Katharine Gibbs School.

Following the footsteps of other great Dutch talents, Corrie was a very artistic woman who found great pleasure in giving her handmade gifts to friends and colleagues. Among her talents, she carefully and meticulously designed notecards with hand-cut mosaics in her signature bright colors and artistically arranged these tiny paper bits with a creative eye. Corrie also enjoyed silk screening and needlework, making beautiful scarves with abstract designs and creating festive holiday decorations.

Corrie loved music and languages (particularly Japanese) and formed friendships with many foreign students at Katherine Gibbs School. She loved  their culture and arts and often wrote encouraging words or expressions in complex Japanese characters to share with a group of young students.

Corrie is survived by her daughter, Malaika Kovacevich of Revere, her grandchildren, Shanya Kovacevitch and Miro Kovacevich, her beloved cat, Tequila and longtime friends and colleagues of Emerson College and Katharine Gibbs School.

Remembering your loyal Dutch roots will play the Wilhelmus in your honor dear friend.

Private funeral arrangements were by Casper Funeral Service, Boston.

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