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Pommelien Thijs (22) said goodbye to her great-grandmother Paula, who was recently seen in ‘The last portrait’ by Lieve Blancquart on VRT 1. She died on Friday at the age of 102.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 7:20 AM
It was photographer and TV maker Lieve Blancquart who announced the death. “Paula is no more. She died yesterday (Friday, ed.) in her sleep. My meeting with her was short but unforgettable. She was smart, funny and warm. Strength to everyone who has to miss her.”
Paula leaves behind 5 children, 17 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren, including Pommelien Thijs. The singer had a close bond with her great-grandmother. Last year she promised that if she won the Summer Hit, the trophy would be for Paula. And she kept her word. “I think this will look nice on her dresser,” she said after her win.
(read more below the photo)
Paula was a fierce supporter of her great-granddaughter: she watched all episodes of #Likeme in the retirement home. She also shared her love for self-designed clothing with Thijs. During the shooting of The Last Portrait, Paula was 101. She was still in good health, but indicated that it had been beautiful. Twenty years earlier, her husband had died of dementia. With the portrait that Blancquart made of Paula and her family, she felt ready to say goodbye.
A year ago, Pommelien Thijs’ grandmother also died. That happened just before she took part in The Expedition: Greenland. During her journey across the ice, Thijs regularly reflected on that farewell.
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