Pieternella Bommelje - Obituary

ieternella “Petra” Simone Bommelje, 38, a 34 year resident of Epping Forest in Annapolis died on Friday June 3, 2011 at her home. Born May 24, 1973 in Washington, D.C., to Gerda A. Bommelje and the late Carleton E. Shearer, she was a 1991 graduate of Annapolis Sr. High and received her teaching degree with honors, from State University of New York College at Oneonta. Petra loved children and enjoyed teaching First and Fourth grades at Eastport Elementary School in Annapolis, and also teaching swimming lessons. She was generous and caring, touching the hearts of many people. Petra loved sports and was an avid Redskins fan. She coached the Epping Forest swim team for many years. Her favorite pastimes were fishing and spending time on the Severn River. She also loved animals and enjoyed dancing. In addition to her mother, Gerda A. Bommelje of Annapolis, she is survived by her longtime companion Lucas P. Siple of Annapolis; her son, Kees-Jan Lucas Bommelje-Siple of Annapolis and her twin sister, Monique I. Bommelje-Larsen and her husband Paul Larsen, III of Davidsonville. Friends may call on Thursday, June 9, 2011 from 4pm until the funeral service begins at 6:30pm at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A Celebration of Petra’s life will be held at Epping Forest Beach at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kees-Jan Lucas Bommelje-Siple education fund, c/o Sandy Spring Bank, Attn: Jennifer Road Branch, 17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, MD 20832.