Nell was born in Scheveningen, Holland to the late Jacobus and Lena (Plug) Roos. She was a child during WWII and recorded her memories of wartime and the Hunger Winter in a journal that she left behind so her family would never forget what her generation and family survived. After the war, she met Charles Vermeij
(Vermey) and they married in July of 1955. They emigrated to the United States with their infant daughter in December 1956. After living in Sebring, Florida for a short time, they moved to Sparta, New Jersey and later to Newton as a family of six.
Nell worked as a housekeeper and nanny for most of her adult life. She was known as “Oma” to many neighborhood children. She always had an open heart and home, often sharing her Dutch home cooking with them. Nell enjoyed history, reading, music, and singing. She was skilled in sewing, knitting, and also had a great love and appreciation for Dutch painters. After her children were grown Nell was divorced and remarried to the late Ronald Cooley in 1985.
In addition to her parents, Nell was also predeceased by her brothers, Jan and Wim Roos. She is survived by her children, Ingrid Reynolds and husband, Bill, Helen Sallitt and husband, Sam, Robert Vermey, and Jennifer Koch and partner, Jim; her grandchildren, Lauren King, Will Reynolds, Christopher Sallitt, Jeanelle Wood, Belinda Rodine, Mikaela Koch, Dustin Sallitt, Kelsey Koch and Delaney Koch; her great-grandchildren, Conor King, Liam Wood and Gwenyth Sallitt; her siblings, Lenie Pronk, Koos Roos, Hanneke Roos; and her sisters in law Cootje and Willy Roos.
A memorial service will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Online condolences may be offered at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
