LaTonya Linton, Gleaner Writer
FORMER STAFF nurse at The Gleaner, Leonie Hendriks, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30.
Her former co-workers remember Hendriks, who served the Gleaner Company for over 17 years, as a beautiful person who was always smiling.
"She was a very balanced person, kind-hearted, under-standing and listens to you anytime you have a problem. She never withdrew from anyone who asked for assistance," said Audrey Goffe, a close friend of Mrs. Hendriks.
Eulalee Samuels, a former co-worker of Hendriks, remembers her as being a warm and friendly confidante. " She was a very confidential person. You could tell her anything and it would stay in her office," said Samuels.
According to Shirley Rodney, close friend and former collegue, "She was a kind lady; genuine and sincere. At work we had lunch together everyday."
According to Gaye Vernon, her mother was the heart and soul of the family. "She was an excellent mother, very loving, caring and compassionate. She was always willing to go the extra mile for any needs. She was a favourite aunt as well. Her nieces and nephews would come to her, she was very approachable and always ladylike," Vernon said.
PLANT LOVER
Leonie Hendriks, who is originally from Trelawny, lived in Red Hills, St. Andrew, but moved to Montego Bay to be closer to her daughter.
She was a great lover of plants, "She liked flowers, floral arrangements and to tend flowers in the garden," recounted Vernon.
She is remembered at The Gleaner as a person who took care of the company's flowers. "She was always dedicated to her plants. She could be seen speaking to the plants, feeding them with plant food and water," recalled Samuels with a smile.
Hendriks and her late husband lived in Africa, England and Belize for a number of years. She attended Westwood High School and received her training in nursing in England.
The funeral service for Leonie Hendriks will be held at the St. Michael Anglican Church on Saturday, January 7, followed by interment in Clarks Town, Trelawny. She is survived by her three children and four grandchildren.
