in_memoriam

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In Memoriam (11) 2025

January 25, 2025 In Memoriam: Paul Brown (80), Australia. Wilma Brown, on Facebook: Yesterday evening my beautiful man grew his angel wings and is now flying beyond the stars. Paul was my best friend, soulmate and husband of 54 years, a loving father and adored Papa. Loved by all who knew him. I miss him so much. He was taken to hospital on New Year’s Eve and despite the best efforts of the dedicated doctors and nurses, he just never fully recovered. He tried so hard to stay with us, he is now at peace. God has you in his keeping my darling, but I will always have you in my heart.

Ruud and I were shocked by Wilma’s message on Facebook. The new year started for her with the loss of her dear husband Paul. And we lost a great André Rieu fan-friend again. We are so sorry Wilma, our thoughts are with you, we wish you and your family much strength to bear the loss. One thing is for sure: we keep many lovely memories in our hearts. Wilma informed us on January 1st 2025 via Facebook, that the new year had not started so well, due to Paul's sudden hospital admission on New Year's Eve. “Around 11 pm last night I had to call an ambulance to take Paul to hospital. No signs or symptoms at all until then. It turns out he has bacterial pneumonia and after three Covid tests they still haven’t ruled out Covid. So, for now he is isolated until they are sure that he doesn’t have it”. On January 3rd Wilma posted: “Thank you for all the lovely get well wishes for Paul we have really appreciated them, I have read them all out to Paul.Today I finally managed to talk with the doctor. We now know it was neither covid or pneumonia but instead a bacterial infection in his blood. How he got it remains a mystery to us and the doctors as well. He does have scaring on his lungs and his usual heart problems, which up until now we have managed.Today he is feeling a little better and has discovered that from his window he can see planes flying by. Paul loves anything to do with airplanes and flying as well.This will keep him occupied as most of you already know: Paul loves planes”.

Wilma: “I think we discovered André around the first time he came to Australia with the castle tour, although we did not attend his concert here. Our first visit to Maastricht was in 2011. We then attended in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024. We have attended concerts in Australia except the castle tour concert, either in Adelaide, Melbourne or Perth. We also attended the special concert at the Sydney town hall”. “One year when we were coming to Maastricht, Paul fell and broke his ankle a couple of weeks before we were due to leave however he still attended the concert wearing his moonboot. Another time just the day before we were due to fly out, Paul had a heart arrhythmia which meant he had to be zapped to fix his heart rhythm allowing him to fly out the following day. Unfortunately we did not attend the first Malta concerts, but were due to attend the Malta concerts this year. Once we had booked a concert in Vienna in 2011 but that concert was cancelled. Paul also loved anything to do with airplanes and flying as well. We have made many long lasting friendships in Maastricht. Paul was taken to hospital suddenly on New Year’s Eve where he fought so hard to stay with us”.

A selection of reactions by friends on FB: Joe Brincat (Malta): May he rest in peace. I personally had some very good times with Paul both in Malta and abroad. We have gone on holidays together and we enjoyed each others’ company. All I can say is that Paul was a real gentleman, rather quiet but very intelligent. He was particularly interested in aeroplanes and aviation in general. When in Malta, we visited the Aviation museum in Ta Qali and also he went on a flight around the island on a single engine plane. I’ll never forget how happy he was on both occasions. Rest in peace dear friend: you deserve it!️ Edwina Morgan (Australia): Oh Wilma, so sad to hear this news tonight… I have no words… Will always remember Paul’s dry humour in Maastricht. We will never forget all our times together in Maastricht and Kings Park in Perth… RIP Dear Paul… Big hugs Wilma to you, Scotty and all of your family. Lots of Love. Liz Baker (Australia): Oh Wilma. I am so sorry to hear about Paul. He was a quiet wonderful friend. Thinking of you and all your family. I will miss our chats Paul, you were one of nature’s gentleman. Big hugs Wilma. Elke Freitag (Germany): We are so sorry for your loss dear Wilma. Take our deep condolences - be strong- our thoughts are with you. Sally Hodges (UK): Oh Wilma! I am so very, very sad to read this. Paul was such a lovely man. R.I.P. Paul. Thinking of you Wilma and your family. Love and big hugs from me.

Maastricht 2014

2022: With Ruud and Ineke at Vaals’ “Highest “mountain” of The Nederlands: 322m above sea-level. The place where three countries meet: The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

André Rieu fans daytrip to Hoorn in 2012, to the pub at the harbor: Café ‘t Schippershuis. Paul and Wilma having lunch at Father Abraham’s table, where he found inspiration to compose his world famous tophit: “Red Rose Café”.

2011: Ruud, Paul, Wilma and John at the fan picnic in the Maastricht city park.

2022: “The Piepenhoes” restaurant: meeting more fan-friends all over Maastricht. Sally, Jan, Liz and Edwina are in the picture.

February 23, 2025 In Memoriam: Jeannette Heijkoop, (63) NL

Today we received the sad news from Bebe Maggiori (UK), confirmed by Jeannette’s nephew Laurens, that her friend/his aunt, Jeannette Heijkoop (NL) passed away on February 23, 2025. It is always a shock to hear that we have lost another hardcore André Rieu fan friend. Jeannette was a fan from the very beginning and she often traveled on her own to concerts abroad. She seemed to us to be a happy loner who felt at ease everywhere. But she did not share much about her private life. We knew that Jeannette had been suffering from cancer for some time. The last two years we noticed Ton at her side and they happily attended the 2023/24 Vrijthof concerts, fan dinners and VIP-arrangements (By the André Rieu Travel team) of the Christmas concerts, together. The last one was in December 2024! That is why we thought that Jeannette was doing reasonably well under the circumstances. Nevertheless, the news of her passing away, hardly two months later, came as a shock. Our deepest condolences go to Ton, her friends and family. She will be missed.

The 2024 fan dinner with Ton and German friends

Bebe Maggiori: About an hour ago I received a message from Jeannette's nephew, informing me that sadly Jeannette lost her battle with her illness and passed away this morning. I'm so sad to hear this unfortunate news. We were very close friends for many years after meeting in Maastricht in 2012. We attended concerts in Prague, Cologne, Amsterdam, just to mention a few. In 2017 and 2018 we attended all the concerts in Maastricht. Each year we did a VIP-package and the very first one for the Christmas concerts. Naturally we had a marvellous time together visiting other fabulous places during the day, like Efteling park and Germany. We also had a lovely time when Jeannette came to London to attend the concerts. I'm so happy to have spent this time with her in London, as it was her desire to visit London once more. Unfortunately, I did not attend any concerts since 2019 due to the Covid closure and subsequently due to personal reasons. Jeannette was a very private person. I'm so pleased that she found friendship and companionship with Ton for the last two years to share her concerns and make fun outings together. Jeannette will be sadly missed at the concerts and of course by many of her close friends and family. It won’t be the same without her. May her kind soul rest in peace. With love, Bebe.

On the funeral card: Saddened, but grateful that she no longer has to suffer, we inform you of the passing of my dear sister, sister-in-law, our aunt and my friend: Jeannette Heijkoop, 63 years. March 4, 2025. Ruud and Ineke attended Jeannette Heijkoop's funeral in Sliedrecht, NL. The entire ceremony breathed the presence of André Rieu, starting with the violin on the funeral card.

When saying goodbye, we saw a little André Rieu bear next to her in the coffin. André’s name was mentioned in the speeches and all the music was by André, the tenors and the Johann Strauss Orchestra. In December 2024, Jeannette and Ton attended the Christmas concert in Maastricht, despite the fact that she was in a lot of pain. Unfortunately Ton fell in January and broke his hip. He was in a wheelchair at the funeral and is still waiting for more operations. It seems that Jeannette had given up the courage to live at that point. So sorry!! Rest in Peace, Jeanette. And we wish Ton a speedy recovery.

June 1st, 2025 In Memoriam: John de Jong, (84) USA

John and Bobbie de Jong, hard-core André Rieu fans from the very beginning, attending the Vrijthof concerts every year since 2005, including the 2024 concert, when they already knew that John was diagnosed with cancer. John is of Dutch descent, emigrated to the USA at the age of 17, joined the US Air Force, became a civilian pilot and flight instructor, married Bobbie and they had 3 sons. John has always been active for the André Rieu fans and supported us in translating Dutch articles and videos to English. We developed a close friendship of more than 20 years. Farewell John, you can rest now. We will miss you terribly. Stay strong Bobbie, we are thinking of you. Friends for life. Amigos para siempre. Love and hugs from Ruud and Ineke in Holland.

2009. The only year that all international website hosts were in Maastricht. (USA, Australia, Holland).

Checking the banners on the Hotel DuCasque facade.

One of John’s hobbies: miniature trains in a miniature village.

As a volunteer he helped refurbish historic aircraft for the Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA.

Enjoying the Christmas concerts at the MECC, Maastricht.

June 1st 2025: This is the story of the butterfly: (Posted on my personal Facebook account) “We had an unbelievable experience! On a sunny Sunday morning, June 1st 2025, around noon, I opened the door to our small city garden and saw a beautiful butterfly on the garden table. I wanted to make a photo, went inside to get my camera. When I came closer, it flew away. After a while it returned to me, and landed on my hand!! That was very special!!! I called Ruud to come and see, but it flew away. Immediately I got a strange feeling and the first thought that came to my mind was: “John has passed away”. But we quickly dismissed that idea and we left to visit my sister. One hour later, we were in the car, on our way to my sister, I got a message by Bobbie on my phone: “John had passed away!” It left us speechless and emotional. Do you think there is more between heaven and earth? Like a sign by a beautiful red admiral butterfly? We are still confused! Bobbie commented: “The experience you had with the butterfly gave me goosebumps. John passed away around three o'clock Sunday morning. John visited you before leaving. I've also been experiencing too many things, which I call Devine Intervention. Thank you for the beautiful tribute to John for the Harmony Parlor.”