Elisabeth Cornelia Albertina Boki

In memory of

Elisabeth Cornelia Albertina Maria Noorduyn was born on 5 October 1926 in Lochem, The Netherlands. She passed away peacefully on 16 February 2025 in Poole, Dorset, at the age of 98.

Elisabeth (“Els” or “Elsje” for short) was an only child to parents Cornelius and Johanna (better known as Maria), who doted on her, particularly as she'd come to them quite late in their lives. Elisabeth's best friend as a child was “Tom”, the family's beautiful Red Setter. Sadly, Cornelius, an eminent ornithologist, passed away in 1934, at the age of 72. It was from him that Elisabeth developed her love of birds, nature and flowers, which stayed with her throughout her life. She was very proud of her father's recognition for prize-winning dahlias and canaries. Tragically, Maria also passed away when Elisabeth was young and, at the age of 14, she was taken in by her Mother's sister in Venray and six cousins.

Her combined, often recounted experiences through this period incorporating the traumas of German occupation increased her fortitude, courage, and compassion.

After the War, Elisabeth's kind and caring nature was well suited to a short but much enjoyed career in nursing, but she left for England in 1947, and was employed as a nanny, then returning to nursing, working privately for three happy years with Mr & Mrs Gutteridge in North London, and valuing the family's continued friendship throughout her life.

Enjoying dancing, she often went to an international club in London, where she met her Polish husband-to-be, Michael Boki. They married in 1952 and set up home in Highgate, where Elisabeth looked after lodgers, and was also a valued employee at Dickins & Jones department store in the West End. Daughter Wilma arrived in 1955, Elisabella (Lizzy) followed in 1957, then Julia in 1960. Elisabeth was in her element, a proud Mum, always making sure her children were beautifully cared for and well presented.

The family moved to Potters Bar in 1963 where pre-divorce, Elisabeth supported her husband tirelessly in his catering equipment business alongside looking after the children and home; after, engaging in a variety of work & enjoying more time with her family and hugely supportive close friends.

Having spent more time in the UK than in her home country, and being a big fan of Queen Elizabeth II (who was the same age) and the Royal Family, Elisabeth decided to apply for naturalisation, giving up her Dutch citizenship in 1980.

Elisabeth was a homemaker, and devoted to her family. She was delighted when grandchildren Ed, Ben and Tasha were born and was very supportive in looking after them and indeed also babysitting for family friends for many years.

In 1994 Elisabeth moved to Dorset for a more relaxed lifestyle, enjoying reading, arranging flowers and joining a few evening classes. She had never learned to drive so loved being taken out for trips to the countryside by and with all her children and grandchildren, local to them or within Dorset - the Purbecks, the New Forest, and the coast, especially Christchurch with, of course, plenty of stops for lunch, or that cup of tea and cake. A particularly close bond formed between her and granddaughter Tasha, who lived nearby with Lizzy.

Elisabeth's health challenges were sadly added to with Alzheimer's in her late 80s. With family support she remained living independently in her flat until another fall in 2019 sadly saw the necessity to move to a nursing home.

Throughout Elisabeth's life she remained a very private person, traditional, polite and respectful. She habitually put others first and will be hugely missed by all her family and friends.

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