Annette Pel of Ajijic died after a short illness the morning of November 7 at the home of a friend. She was 85.
Born Anna Westra in Sexbirum, Holland on August 25, 1926, Pel and her family were active in protecting and hiding Jewish friends in her homeland during World War II. She studied nursing and teaching and was a kindergarten teacher.
Annette emigrated to Edmonton, Canada in 1951. She met Amse Pel, whom she married in Vancouver, British Columbia in June 1954. Her husband was a dairy farmer and the couple adopted three children in Canada, two boys and a girl, before they moved to California in 1963. There, they adopted a fourth child before they moved to Vancouver, Washington in 1968. There they owned and operated the Hilltop Motel, where Annette doted on the several long-term tenants.
Pel retired from his job as a plywood manufacturer in 1996 and the couple relocated to the Lake Chapala area. Annette was active as a volunteer in several children’s shelters and church groups. She also helped build the local Assembly of God Church.
Many people in the Lakeside area will remember her sailing along the highways and byways on her bicycle. She visited her family (she was one of nine kids) in Holland each year and rode her bicycle all over the Netherlands.
Her husband died in 2001.
Pel is survived by her daughters, Glenda Jayne Tina McCarthy and L.A. Graham, both of Vancouver, Washington. Her son, Roy Amse Pel lives in Vancouver, Washington and another son, Mark David Pel in Blaine, Minnesota. Her grandchildren are Rachel, Noah, Caleb, Justin, Cody and Dakota.
She is also survived by sisters, Geb Velthoen-Westra in Canada and Aly Westra of Holland. Brothers Harem, Rientz and Seerp Westra all reside in the Netherlands. Siblings Piet and Marieka Westra predeceased her.
A memorial service is planned for Monday, November 14, 11 a.m. at Lakeside Presbyterian Church located on the mountain side of the Carretera, just west of S&S Auto in Riberas del Pilar.