Published in the March 9, 2018 edition.

BEDFORD — Hendrina T. M. Hendriks, 84, died on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at her home in Bedford, surrounded by her loving family.

Hennie, as her friends and family called her, was born on June 26, 1933 in the town of Horst, Netherlands to Hendrikus and Huberta Claassens. Hennie, second oldest of three sisters and three brothers, grew up on a small family farm in the small village of Melderslo where she went to school, church, and worked hard days on the family farm, surviving the devastation of World War II.

After high school, Hennie became a social worker for a Catholic organization, helping children and families in need, while dreaming of traveling to far off lands. At age 19, she met her future husband, Jozef, through a mutual friend. At age 26, Hennie married Jozef and they moved to the United States to Wakefield, where Jozef had a job as an Electrical Engineer. Soon after her arrival, Hennie started her family, and gave birth to five children over nine years. She also befriended her neighbors and other Dutch immigrants who became lifelong friends.

Besides raising a family, Hennie also became an avid tennis player, where she made many friends with whom she shared countless adventures, laughs and life. Hennie and Jozef have been retired for the last 24 years, and have spent their time between their homes in Bedford and Palm Coast, Fla. Hennie and Joe travelled extensively during their retirement to Europe, Russia, and China. Hennie loved hosting holidays at her home for her large family, including her five children and five grandchildren.

Hennie is survived by her husband Jozef Hendriks, her five children Peter and his wife Linda Hendriks of Wakefield, Henry of Bedford, Paul and his wife Elizabeth Hendriks of Wakefield, Edward and his wife Diane of Westford, and Nicolette Hendriks of Bedford. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Joshua of Westford, Luke, Willem and Nathan of Wakefield, and Kathleen Hendriks of Nashua, N.H. Hennie is also survived in the Netherlands by her two sisters, Doortje Arts and Ria Willemse, and her two brothers, Crit Claassens and Huub Claassens.

Hennie will be remembered as the sun, the moon and the stars, and the solar system, that the family Hendriks revolved around here on earth. She was loved by so many and will be missed even more.

A funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, March 17, at 9 a.m., at St. Michael Parish, 90 Concord Rd, Bedford.