Obituary of Nellie R. Graafsma

Graafsma, Nellie R., (nee Pikaard) 92 of Mahwah formerly of Hawthorne, died peacefully with her family at her side on Friday, May 5, 2017.  Born in Paterson, Nellie lived most her life in Hawthorne before moving to Mahwah 14 years ago.  She was a member of the Franklin Lakes Baptist Church and enjoyed life to the fullest.   

Surviving are her devoted children, Marion and her husband Fred Benjamin, Frank and his wife Susan, Neal and his wife Janet, William and his wife Debbye and Paul and his wife Pamela.  Nellie also leaves 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and her sister Marion DeMeester.  Nellie was pre-deceased by her husband William Graafsma, Sr. in 2008 and her brother Leonard Pikaard. The Graafsma family will receive friends on Tuesday 2:00 until 4:00 and 7:00 until 9:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 AM from the funeral home.  Interment will follow at the Redeemer Cemetery in Mahwah.  Memorial contributions may be made in Nellie’s name to: Franklin Lakes Baptist Church, 649 Franklin Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 or Christian Health Care Center, 301 Sicomac Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.