Hundreds of people pay their last respects to Margriet Hermans in Oud-Turnhout: “She was the ‘leading lady’ of the ordinary person” | Region

The doors of the funeral home are closed and the last visitors have said goodbye. The public funeral ceremony will take place on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Landloper Chapel of Merksplas-Kolonie. The funeral can be watched live on HLN on Wednesday.

Johan Verhoeven (61) from Rijkevorsel, from bus company Reizen Verhoeven, also came to Oud-Turnhout to say goodbye to Margriet Hermans. “I knew her professionally, but also through my bus company. We sometimes transported a lot of fans and team members. She was a warm person and really loved. That is why I am here today, out of respect for her and her family.”

Radio 2 presenter Daan Masset also gave a final greeting to Margriet Hermans. “I didn’t know her very long, but the moments I saw her were always very warm and friendly. She was the same person in front of the microphone and cameras as she was in real life. A lot of people recognized themselves in her.”

“At Radio 2 we also saw it in the reactions of the people: her farewell would be attended by a huge number of people. Margriet could do no wrong in the eyes of just about everyone. She was truly one of the funniest and friendliest people in showbiz. Nothing was too much for her. She will be missed.”

Lisette (90) from Oud-Turnhout also came to say goodbye to Margriet Hermans. “I have been a fan all her life. I had to be here today. She was very loved, so of course there are a lot of people queuing here.”

For Johan Verstreeks, Margriet’s death came as a real bolt from the blue. He is a former presenter at BRT and was, among other things, editor of the talk show Margriet. “I had no choice but to be here. She was my companion de route and we almost started our career together. She was also the driving force behind the movement to support our Dutch-speaking artists.”

“Even in the rain there is a huge turnout,” he continues. “But luckily you see daisies in bloom everywhere along the street. You can still recognize her smile, as if she is still among us. She was really so loved.”

Marianne Verlinden (58) from Oud-Turnhout also came to say a last goodbye to Margriet Hermans. “Margriet was a very sweet woman and could sing beautifully. I live nearby in Oud-Turnhout, so it was natural that I would be here. I will miss her enormously.”

The long line of people waiting in Turnhout speaks volumes: Margriet Hermans left no one untouched. Among the many attendees who came to pay her final respects, including Rina Verswyveld. She was once a backing singer for Margriet Hermans. “Margriet is Margriet. There is only one like that,” she says. Read more here.

Singer Marina Wally, daughter of Eddy Wally, also came to Oud-Turnhout to say goodbye to Margriet Hermans. “It took us an hour and a half to get here today, but it was certainly our duty to do so. The enormous turnout was to be expected.”

Singer Lisa del Bo also came to say goodbye. “Unfortunately, we could not be present at Margriet’s funeral on Wednesday, so it was our duty to be here today. You can also see it in the people in the queue: she was the example for the ordinary man and woman. The leading lady of the ordinary person, as it were.”

Sanne (38) from Retie also came to Oud-Turnhout to say goodbye. “Margriet was really a very pleasant person. We come from Retie ourselves and she was certainly very welcome in the Kempen. The large turnout here today proves that.”

Jos and Tatiana from Tienen often went to Margriet’s performances. “We know Margriet very well. We often went to see her performances. She was truly one of a kind. We expected this hustle and bustle. She was always in a good mood and always had fun.”

Bea (48) from Tongeren also came to Oud-Turnhout. “I am a big fan of hers. I really grew up with Margriet, because of her many shows on TV. I expected this turnout, and even much more actually.”

“The long line of people standing here shows that Margriet touched many people,” says Eva. “When I spoke to the people here, they said that this is mainly because she has always remained herself: an authentic and sincere lady with a very warm heart. That burst of laughter also comes up again and again. What is also striking: here are real fans who come for Margriet, the media personality, but also people from Oud-Turnhout who want to say goodbye to Margriet, the baker’s daughter.”

Singer Thomas Julian (32) from Zwevegem also came to Oud-Turnhout to say goodbye. “I was a colleague of Margriet, so it was certainly my duty to be here today. She was always cheerful and had a warm heart. This long line shows what kind of person Margriet was: a well-liked person by many people.”

Jeanette Reynders (69) from Meerhout mainly knew Margriet from TV. “So I thought I should be here today. There is a long line, but that really doesn’t surprise me. I live in Meerhout myself, so it’s not that far of a drive. I will remember her for a long time, just like many other people.”

Josée Mues (74) and Benny Gaethofs (64) from Tessenderlo also traveled to Oud-Turnhout to pay their last respects to Margriet Hermans. “She was a great lady who was loved by everyone. She was the same for everyone and made no exceptions. We came here especially from Tessenderlo, because we felt that we absolutely had to do this.”

Kiran Van Geel (20) from Retie also came to Oud-Turnhout to say goodbye to Margriet Hermans. “I have always been a big fan of Margriet, especially her big hit ‘Lekker linger’. So I certainly thought it was my duty to be here today. It doesn’t surprise me that there are so many people here, because she was really a well-known figure.”

Chantal, Hilda, Anita, Véronique and Dylana have brought cards of angels for Margriet. Dylana Kozakiewiez (19) says: “We ordered these cards on Temu and then decorated them ourselves. We did that especially for Margriet, because I was a really big fan of hers.”

There is a long queue at the funeral home. Among those present is someone who was once her backing vocalist. “Margriet is Margriet, I have a very warm affection for her. I once sang backing vocals for her, had rehearsals with her and laughed a lot. She was a very warm woman and I felt that I had to be here. I will remember her best as a cheerful, optimistic woman with her heart on her sleeve.”

“She came with us to Chiro camp,” says someone else in line. “That’s how I met her. Afterwards we also went to the same pub. And from 1985 onwards I started following her when she broke through. The moment I once sang with her during a fun evening at camp is my most beautiful memory of her.”

Among those present at the funeral home is singer Torsten Van Loock (50), a good friend of Margriet Hermans. “We knew each other well as fellow singers. We were really two hands on one stomach and she always told me to keep singing. We have really become family. It certainly doesn’t surprise me that there are so many people here now,” he says.