Petronella "Nellie" Shrewsberry

It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that Oma Nellie passed peacefully in her sleep yesterday morning following a very long period of failing health and debilitation.

Nellie was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 1936. As a young girl, she lived through World War II during the 1940’s while the country was occupied by Germany.

Nellie was a dancer in her early years and when she immigrated to The United States, she married and eventually became an adult education teach for knitting and crocheting in California and became the librarian and a teacher of English as a second language.

During her retirement in West Virgina, Nellie volunteered at the Veterans Hospital and later moved to Kansas City.

Nellie had a deep love of animals, and she had many to love over her lifetime. She LOVED her murder mystery novels. She was a veracious reader, and she most definitely loved her music. Primarily jazz, swing and big bands to name a few. She also enjoyed her daily puzzles of all sorts. Above all she thrived and lived for her family and friends and her wine and cheese. A good margarita or mudslide was always on the menu, too. She did love her libations.

One other joy that Nellie had was watching specials on the Public Broadcasting Systems (PBS) of which she was a donor for many years. In this regard, in leu of sending flowers, please consider a donation to your local PBS station in her name. A link is provided below.

Kansas City PBS

A celebration of life will possibly be held and scheduled at a later date.