Els Witkamp Reed
February 8, 1951 ~ October 20, 2024
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Els Witkamp Reed, 73, died Sunday morning, October 20, 2024, at home in Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martinus Witkamp and Gerda Postma Witkamp; and a brother, Falco Witkamp.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Reed; daughter, Louren Reed; son, Owen Reed, daughter-in-law, Lisa Reed; and four grandchildren.
Born in the Netherlands, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1960 and became a naturalized US citizen in 1966. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Els taught elementary and middle school Art in Pensacola, FL for many years. Most recently she was an active member of the Squeaky Wheel Potters’ Studio in Asheville.
She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Tom So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful person and Friend. Will miss her kindness and friendship. Thanks for letting me be part of your family
Tom So sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful person and Friend. Will miss her kindness. Thanks for letting me be part of your family
Dear Tom,
Our hearts are broken. So sad and sorry for the loss of Els. She brought so much joy to our community. I’m grateful for the time we had together anticipating the birth of our little Schnauzers and counting the days until they arrived.
Being a Mah Jongg student of Els and her strict and patient pursuit of the skills she wanted to make sure we all had. On this past Monday, we played our last game of Mah Jongg with Els. She reminded me not to just ‘take’ an opponent’s Joker, but to politely ask when it was appropriate. I will miss our dear friend and wonderful neighbor.
Els was such a dear person. I loved sharing pictures of our youngest Grands and their stories. I’m glad I had some time with her. Tom, take care of yourself.
Els was a uniquely kind person and we often compared our little grandchildren as we met for years at Lakeside Pottery in Florida. When she and Tom moved to Asheville her presence was so genuinely missed but I was pleased to write a warm letter of support for her application to her new pottery group.
Els was a skilled potter, an excellent mentor, and a sincerely positive spirit. She is missed.
We take our neighbors for granted. Then when they are gone we wish we knew them better. Els was so sweet and gentle. I will miss her so much.
We are so sorry for your loss. Els was a sweet person and she touched the lives of many folks in our community. She will be missed by all. Our hearts prayers go out to you and your family.
We will be here to support you during this difficult time.
What a loss. I will miss her sweetest smile and sense of humor and wonderful neighborly ways.
This is terribly outdated, but we just now learned of her passing. May her memory bring you many blessings.