Eveline E van Genderen

Eveline E. van Genderen (Evie van Ommeren), 92, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025 in Sarasota Florida surrounded by the love of her family.   Evie was born May 10, 1933 in Java Indonesia preceded in death by her parents Johan van Ommeren and Emma van Ommeren (van den Oever).    The eldest of 11, she carried a strong maternal bond for her sisters and brothers; Irene/Reny, Johan/Hans, Ronald/Ronny (preceded), Emmy/Babes, Yvonne/Ciska, Linda/Grace, Harold, Peter, Edward/Teddy, and Benjamin/Benny (preceded).    Evie was the beloved wife of Wico van Genderen (preceded), and was the devoted mother to three children; Robert Paul (Laurie), Wico (Meg) and Ingrid (David Nissen); cherished Oma to seven grandchildren, Kristen, Michael (Angela), Gregory, Taylor, Connor, Hanna and Ella; and treasured Omi to two great grandchildren, Cassidy and Emery. 

 

Evie had a full impactful life with those that loved her.   She was born and raised in Indonesia during the tragedies of World War II, the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia and the subsequent Indonesian War of Independence.  After the war, she and her family immigrated to the Netherlands where she met her future husband, Wico, a Dutch Air Force Pilot in NATO training with the US Air Force.  Happily married for over 60 years until the time of his passing on November 5, 2016, Evie and Wico were married in Hilvarenbeek, the Netherlands on August 31, 1955.   In January 1961 they immigrated to the United States on a Holland America Transatlantic Ocean Liner to Hoboken New Jersey passing by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.   Sponsored by the family of an American Air Force Pilot, they settled in Collingswood, New Jersey where they began to build their American Dream in Willingboro and then Tabernacle, New Jersey.   With strong business acumen, Evie became the proprietor of a Bridal Shop (House of Brides)  and an Interior Design Shop (Décor Wallpaper).  In 1992, Evie and Wico retired to Oak Run, Ocala Florida and in 2024, Evie moved to the Grand Villa of Sarasota.  She died in Tidewell Hospice House on October 8 surrounded by love ones. 

 

With a huge smile, sharp mind, and a deep devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers and sisters; she was the matriarch of the family.   She loved music, often singing and playing the piano and guitar.  Evie loved playing bridge with her dear friends from the Dutch Club and enjoyed cooking Indonesian Food for any occasion.  She loved her friends at her Oak Run Community in Ocala; where you could find her line dancing, playing tennis and playing cards.   Her lifelong hobby was gardening around the house.  She loved to nurture and care for her plants and flowers; taking great pride in her outside landscaping and indoor houseplants.   Above all, she loved her husband Wico. And now in her passing, there is beauty and solace that they are once more together. 

 

There will be a memorial service in April, where the family will co-mingle Evie and Wico’s ashes and spread them together over the Ocean as a symbol of their deep and everlasting love for each other.     

 

To live in hearts we leave behind, will always be in our hearts forever. 

 

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.