Aletta Petronella Nijberg was born in Schiedem, Holland on August 24, 1932 to her father, Adolf Nijbert, a Swedish Marine Engineer, and her mother, Catherina Winkel, a Dutch Homemaker. Aletta was raised in Holland until the age of 8, when she moved to Sweden with her mother and sister as her father was severely injured and hospitalized there during WWII. At the end of WWII, her mother with Aletta and sister returned to Holland as her father died. She went to school and continued her favorite sports of swimming and spring board diving. At the age of 18, she met her future husband, Samir, an Egyptian Engineer with Shell, who was also a swimmer. They were married in Holland in 1949.
Aletta easily acclimated to the surrounding community wherever she lived. Aletta lived in Egypt for 10 years. She mastered the Arabic language with some help from Samir's mother. Both Aletta and Samir were members of the swimming teams at the Shell Refinery in Suez, where Samir was employed.
Life in Egypt was stressful in the 1950's due to the Suez Canal War. Aletta encouraged Samir to immigrate to the USA for the future of their children. The family immigrated to the USA in 1960. They settled in Tulsa for two years, where Samir was studying for an MS degree and Aletta managed to run the family with limited resources.
Aletta joined Samir during his assignment with Mobil for 25 years; traveling to Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, England, France, Holland, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Aletta and Samir retired in Houston in 194. Aletta loved children, particularly babies. She had a variety of pets.
Aletta is survived by her husband, Samir; daughter, Lajla; son Ramzy and his wife Elaine; grandchildren Alia Bodner (MD), her husband Benjamin Bodner (MD), Darcy Estefan and Paige Estefan; and great grandchildren James and Aletta Bodner.
Aletta's dementia started about 7 years ago. Its effects progressed slowly. The family wishes to extend many thanks to the monthly church gatherings organized by Care Partners which Aletta enjoyed immensely. She and husband Samir regularly attended sports activities at the Y and the Bridge Club.
Memories & Thoughts by Samir:
Aletta and I had a wonderful 70 years of marriage. Her kind nature and generous spirit helped her make friends everywhere we went. She had many talents, including swimming, spring diving, and bridge, that allowed her to find common interests with the many wonderful people we met as we traveled the world together during my assignments with Mobil. We were fortunate to maintain many of these cherished friendships, later hosting them at our home in Houston. Please join us in remembering her beauty, kindness, and love for her family.
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