Regina Veerkamp's Obituary
Mrs. Regina Veerkamp, born Regina van den Hoogen, 90, of Huntersville, NC, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, February 17, 2017, surrounded by her loving children
Regina was born on June 25, 1926 in Uden, the Netherlands, where she grew up under Nazi occupation before meeting her future husband Arnold Veerkamp while working in The Hague for an American diplomat. They married and in 1956 emigrated to New Jersey, where they worked together as domestic help, including over three decades on the estates of Emelia Engelhard in Bernardsville, and Charles & Jane Engelhard in Far Hills, where Arnold was Superintendent.
After many wonderful years and raising their children in Bernardsville, NJ, Regina and Arnold retired in 1988 and settled in South Carolina, first in Rose Hill Plantation and later in Sun City Hilton Head. After her husband’s death in 2006, Regina relocated to Huntersville, NC to be near her daughter, where she was a member of St. Mark Catholic Church. Regina loved walking, entertaining, card playing, and traveling, and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She was very proud of her Dutch heritage and of her collection of antiques and her own needlework.
Regina is survived by her children, daughter Helen Veerkamp Draheim, son-in-law Mark Draheim, and granddaughter Peyton Draheim of Huntersville, NC; her son Anthony Veerkamp and his partner Michael Paulos of San Francisco, CA; her sister and brother-in-law Elizabeth and Henk Ariens of Barnegat, NJ. In addition, she is survived by loving family in the Netherlands, including brother and sister-in-law Jan and Paula van den Hoogen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Anton and Riet Veerkamp of Monster, and sister-in-law Nolda van den Hoogen of Uden, whose husband Daaf, Regina’s brother, passed way just a week before Regina.
A private memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 20, 2017 at James Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Novant Health Hospice, P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.
Online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com.
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