The death of Christina Aletta Gelderbloem has left a sense of emptiness in the hearts of Lighthouse Seniors’ Club members.
Ms Gelderbloem died on October 19 at the age of 84.
She served on the executive board of Lighthouse Community Grouping, an organisation which provides home-based care, advice and youth development.
When Ms Gelderbloem was still active she used to be the spiritual advisor for men and women. She was also the founder of the Lighthouse Seniors’ Club.
Her son Bishop Victor Gelderbloem, said his mother had fallen and broken a hip but had recovered well after an operation.However, her health took a turn for the worse after another fall.
He said her death was a shock to many people as she was a beacon of light to the community and known as a giver. “Her house was open to everyone,” he said,
As a parent she was a strict disciplinarian and when she was younger she used to teach Sunday school and later became a reverend.
Ms Gelderbloem was a “classy woman”, said Dorothy Williams, a member of the seniors’
club. “She dressed very well and she had a kind heart. She was a loveable woman and made
us laugh but she also served as our spiritual leader.”
Reverend Appollis Williams remembered Ms Gelderbloem as a “very neat and well-dressed woman, who was committed to the church.”
She had five children and one of them died. She also had 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Her eldest son Russel Michaels, said: “My mother will be remembered as being fair and God-fearing.”
The funeral will be on Saturday November 3, at Christian Assembly Church, in Blackbird Avenue, in Parkwood, with viewing from 8.30am to 9am.
For more information, call 021 704 6060.