Nelly Van Tongerloo Combe, age 101, peacefully passed away May 4, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Rosary will be Friday, May 17, 2024 at 6:30 pm at Forest Park Lawndale, Main Chapel. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on May 18, 2024 at Forest Park Lawndale, Main Chapel. Deacon Jose Galvan will be officiating the burial service. Burial will follow at Forest Park Lawndale.
Nelly Combe was born on July 26, 1922 in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) to Johannes George Van Tongerloo (father)and Petronella Van Tongerloo (mother). She was the first born child. She went to school in Rotterdam. She married George Thomson Combe on September 10, 1948 in Edinburgh, Scotland. She graduated from a business school in Rotterdam. Her first job as a teenager was working as a cashier in the neighborhoods Drug Store. She also worked at a produce store. She was 18 years of age when World War II began in Rotterdam. Despite Dutch neutrality, Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on May 10, 1940. Nelly feared for her life as she desperately tried to sleep with bombs exploding so close to the Harbor. She remembered being so hungry that she could not sleep due to the hunger pains in her belly. Germans would invade their grocery stores and homes. Leaving no food for the people to buy. This was a traumatic time in her life. World War II ended in 1945.
Nelly was a beautiful person who could light up a room. She had beautiful blue eyes and a wonderful smile. Everyone was intrigued with Nelly. She was fluent in four languages, Dutch, French, German, and English. She was always willing to translate for anyone who needed help.
In 1948 age 26, Nelly met the man of her dreams. Seaman George Thomson Combe came to port in the harbor of Rotterdam. She was set up on a double date with her sister Johanna to go out dancing. She met her future husband George. George invited Nelly to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland to meet his parents. During this trip George and Nelly were married and she became Nelly Combe. She moved to Scotland. Leaving her family behind. They lived in Edinburgh for five years. In 1953 age 31, was the biggest move of her life. They immigrated to Houston, Texas. George worked for the Houston Purification Plant as the Engineer Foreman. Nelly began working at Foley’s department store. She landed a job in the Accounts Receivable department. 1958 They decided to become citizens of the United States of America. They also purchased their first house they called Home.
Nelly was promoted to a Secretarial position. Working for Mr. McNaught. Due to her husband’s health conditions she switched to a part-time position and became an Office Clerical in the Gift department.
Nelly & George loved to travel. They would go to Lake Travis for the weekends. They also traveled all over Texas by car. Nelly went on several cruises with her sister Johanna and friends. She traveled to see Niagara Falls from Buffalo, New York, and from the Canadian side. She traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, Orlando, Florida, Lafayette, Louisiana, Biloxi, Mississippi. At the age of 94 she traveled to Rotterdam and France to see her siblings, nieces, and nephews and celebrate her 95th birthday.
1980 Nelly became a widow at the age of 58. Her beloved husband George Thomson Combe dies.
1986 Nelly retired at the age of 65. She spent time going to the gym to swim. Then having lunch with these new friend’s she met at President’s First Lady Gym.
Nelly joined the Idylwood Garden Club. This club was in charge of beautifying their gardens. Learning from one another and sharing their time and talents to beautifying the neighborhood.
She became Roman Catholic and she loved attending Mass and getting together with other parishioners for brunch.
Nelly was diagnosed having Dementia at the age of 95. This caused her problems to swallow and breath. Contracting Covid made matters worse. She became bedridden.
Our Lord, Jesus saw the pain and suffering she was having. He came to embrace her into His loving arms, and He carried her home. She now resides in Heaven. Alleluia!!
