Elly dear I will always miss you-we had many special times together and memories I will cherish forever-love you always Mary M

Miss you every pink rose blooms another year in my garden speaks about your kindness love you

Dear Elly, we miss you very much. So sad that you are no longer with us, but I share the moments we had. wilma 

Still I cannot believe, that my dear friend, Elly is in heaven.  I knew her, since 1970. A great tennisplayer and unique person.  Remember for ever, with love.
Willem ten Veldhuys from The Netherlands. 

A beautiful friend with a beautiful soul. Her smile will brighten our lives for the remaining time of our life. We, that had the luck of sharing our life with this wonderful and beautiful human being, will miss her and remember our times together on the courts and out of them.
I will miss you so much and almost as much as I miss Val. I hope you are somewhere together and looking at Michele and me(Carlo) with all the love we shared. You will be missed for the rest of our lives.

Elly was my dear tennis friend. I was in her early tennis days,  tennis photographer. We always kept in touch  by mail.  What a shock to hear from her collegue player,  Nora Blom, that she passed away. Of course I have send a mail because of her birthday 70! How sad. In 2019 we had a unique afternoon on the Dutch beach and lunch. Sweet memories. Warm regards for her partner Michele. Rest in peace. Willem ten Veldhuys from Holland. 

Michelle, words can’t express the sadness you must feel at Elly’s loss! I’ll keep you in my thoughts, Rich

You touched everyone in an amazing light is your legacy  and your wife to enjoy. Miss you here but I see you in everyone you knew today ( lines out th e Unity door yo!) .

Dear Michele & family, 

Wishing you moments of peace and comfort at this difficult time. We will always remember Elly as a warm and generous spirit, cheering on the Team with all her heart.

‘Oranje Boven’

Hugs from the Husar family

Similar to many others, I met Elly through tennis. From the first time I ever saw her play at a tournament in Florida I said “who is that?! She’s
amazing!”  She was gliding, she was poetry in motion, she was one with the ball. I was mesmerized by her beauty, and how her joyful spirit came through on the court. A vision in white.

Once I met her, I learned that her joyful spirit came through everywhere. She was so warm, open and kind, always sharing her love with the world. Any time I got to see her was an extra special day, whether at a field hockey game, party, or on the court.  Who can forget ‘Orange 🍊 BOVE!!!’ And ‘We love you UVa!!’ And that smile.

Orange above. You are above now, Lieverling. We love you Elly. We miss you. We will play for you. All I can say is I am so lucky to know you & all who know and love you are touched by an angel. 

Elly, we loved your wild and untamed ways.  The day I taught you how to ride a motorbike and within minutes you where haring around the farm at top speed giving me a panic attack!..You are free and at peace now.  All our love and hugs to you and Michele forever Karyn and Julie

From Nick,  … …I love Elly very much.  I did everything I could to provide her with companionship and comfort.  This was my work and my service which I took entirely to heart in order to love her and help her to have hope and not despair, to have courage and not fear, to be together and not alone.  We had a lot of fun and we went on a lot of adventures which I treasure.  When I think of being with her now in Heaven, I am not in my pouch.  She need not carry me.  We have wings.  Love all.


My dear Elly and sweet friend-so many wonderful memories on the lake-the great dinners we had and enjoying Michele's girls and learning about field hockey-going to the games and little Jack flirting with the girls! All the goofy things we did when Michele was gone!!
Cooking beets in my pressure cooker and praying it did not explode!
So many wonderful wines and cooking and learning about Holland  and going to Holland (MI) on my birthday and loving the tulips-so many wonderful memories and the sadness of you and Michele moving to VA-I love you Elly- you are a beautiful soul and sadly missed!

My dear Elly and sweet friend - I will always cherish the wonderful memories on the lake-so many great dinners and always fun with all Michele's girls -and the  goofy things we did -when Michele was gone!!! My first trip to Holland (MI) on my birthday and loving the flowers-going to Michele's games -having you do beets in my pressure cooker and praying it didn't explode ! The wonderful wines and wonderful food and the sadness when you and Michele moved to VA ! I love you Elly -you are a beautiful soul -loved and missed

When I arrived at MSU at 18, this beautiful soul was there for me ( and many others ) to help navigate fears, homesickness and real life experiences while being a collegiate athlete away from home. She ( & Michele ) cooked for us , cleaned my stained white pants ( on a few occasions ), taught us Dutch culture and always welcomed us into their house at any time day or night.  

In my mid to late 20s , although I lived states apart , we always stayed in touch- a quick phone call saying hello or sending a message singing me happy birthday in Dutch. 

In my mid to late 30s we reconnected by way of geography as I moved to Virginia Beach. The past 4 years or so , we were able to see eachother much more often,  wheather is was driving up to UVA to cheer on the FH team to go to the Final Four , visiting a winery , going to Wintergreen for New Years ,meeting in OBX together  for a beach weekend or  a random  run in with you and Michele in Deleware. 

Just a few short weeks ago  we were singing & dancing to the ONE LOVE music of our fav  Bob Marley cover band in VB. This was our last time together and we are thankful to have this memory  of you being blissful and spreading your love to everyone around you that night. You are such a special soul not only to me , but so so many others.  We WILL keep your beautiful light shining with acts of kindness in your memory - we love you Elly

Michele, my heart aches for you and your entire family. My deepest condolences to you. Though we've lost touch since our coaching days at Iowa for some reason I've been thinking of you recently, so God was nudging me to reach out to you. May you be blessed by her memory and supported by your family and friends. 

We will celebrate your 70 years of life today, at a beautiful place at the beach. It was also the favorite place of Han & Martien in Portugal. Cheers

We will celebrate your life today, at a beautiful place at the beach. It was also the favorite place of Han & Martien in Portugal. Cheers

My angel Elly. My first tennis coach outside  of my dad Isaac. I will never forget the encouragement, love and dedication you showed me and my fellow tennis players. You were like family to my father and to me. I will always have the best memories as a young girl in israel with you. Thank you for being you. May your memory be for a blessing.  Love always Tsipporah ( Tsippy) , Isaac and Geula Waterman   

Thank you for always having me over and treating me like family. Whether it was sitting on the porch listening to music or introducing me to how they eat toast in Amsterdam (some kind of sugar/sprinkles -  very good).  Despite our encounters not being  many,  Elly made you feel like you’ve known each other for ages. Thank you Elly! 

It’s always a risk to invite a complete stranger into your home but how glad we were to invite the beautiful, kind and modest Elly into ours. We have such wonderful memories of her when she played, and won, the masters tennis tournament in Perth, Australia. We still see her gorgeous smile at the celebration lunch when we got the barista to make her a coffee embossed with No.1!
We caught up again at the birthday extravaganza in Bali. Such great memories of dancing our socks off all weekend. 
Our heartfelt sympathy to you Michele and all her family. 

Met oprechte deelneming, tante Adrie Commandeur

Memories of Elly from before her twenties and after her sixties are filled with beauty. Being her friend and playing with her in a tennis team in Amsterdam was a lovely experience. Always there to support her teammate’s , always there to give her utmost, always there to contribute to the team. And what fun it was to be around her.  Lovely Elly will be in our hearts forever.

Before I actually met Elly, I saw her playing tennis in the finals of a National tournament in Florida. She took my breath away with her style. She seemed to float on the court with the grace of a ballet dancer and the precision of a surgeon. That was about 15 years ago, and then my wife and I coincidentally moved to Charlottesville. Soon after, we became friends. We spent time at field hockey games, cheering in Dutch, and met up in Amsterdam one year, where she proudly gave us the grand tour, and introduced me to Jaegermeister (which tasted way better then, than it does today!). 
As time went on, I had the honor of playing tennis with her. One day on the court at Keswick, I said “I want to look like you on the court!!” Her response was “Just dance with the ball, Darling.” It was a fitting response. I miss her so much already. 
Elly is a most beautiful soul. I never heard her speak an unkind word. She had a natural ability to lift the spirits of others. I felt honored to be her friend. 

Gentle and sweet soul

Now you fly eternally

In the love you left


This is one of the beautiful pictures that show how lovely you are ❤️ Love you Elly 😘

Your light shines so bright in every conversation since you left. Everybody talks about how you lit up their lives and how they still hear your voice. When the memories are gone the most important remains. 

Michele- I still think of the time that Elly and I drove the equipment van home from Louisville after the Final Four. We talked and talked the whole way and I got to know her better. She was kind, funny and so perceptive.  I’m so sorry for your loss but hope you’ll find comfort in the love around you and your many memories. You, Elly and your families will be in my prayers. Love, Malinda 

Talking to her flowers in the back yard.    Sweetest memories -Elly at summer camp taking care of all the campers who  were scare  and not sure where to go.    She was an amazing person who showed kindness to everyone she meet.   I will miss her voice on the side line at UVA this year and my hug after the game

Great gal, already miss her. And because of Elly, I will never look at a sliced onion the same again…

Dear dear Elly, I remember you so vividly, our biggest MSU 💚 and UVA 🧡fan, always supporting the team. A champ on and off the court 🏆🎾 always so positive.

The photo of Elly and Michele was in Denia in Spain 🇪🇸when they stayed at my family house. They loved it and texted me their crazy adventures and the new friends they made. So cool and typical for them two! 

So so sad and at a loss for words. Wishing Michele, family & friends love and strength. Elly, I'll never ever forget you, so kind, funny and welcoming me so warmly, Dutchies in the USA🧡💛💚💜💞💖

Elly I miss you already I love you from your friends  Robin and Pablo and Monte and more.

Such a beautiful spirit; always so supportive of everyone around her. I have such fond memories of Elly; she was an amazing teacher and coach. Lots of love and strength to Michele and family. 

Friend , Nelleke Joep Brenninkmeijer
In Amsterdam we got to know Elly as a warm , sporty social and enthusiastic personality ,  Condolences to Michele and Family

Dearest El, always taking care of others, always there to help. You are an amazing kind, loving and gentle person and  I will always love you🙏🤍💚

Was man tief in seinem Herzen besitzt, kann man nicht durch den Tod verlieren. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

condolences to elli's family.  We are sad that we never got to know her.  Sending love from Germany Tanja and Florian

I met Elly a few times and she always had a beautiful smile and made you feel you knew her a long time. She will be missed by so many and was a beautiful soul that touched many hearts. It was a blessing to know her.🙏
Barbara Hepler

My dearest friend Elly Appel I will never forget our friendship and lovely moments of happiness together ❤️

August 2021, the last time I spent a beautiful trail through the dunes of Beverwijk, to end at  beach.: which she loves and always makes her smile..
The place where the waves, the sand and open skies, gave her energy and her lovely smile 😘💕

Dearest cousin Elly, we share a lot of years together and stayed always in each others mind. Your dear parents were my God-parents all their life. Thank you for all the joy and good talks we had. In stead of flowers we donated to the Krajicek foundation. We love y for ever and ever. Say hello to all the loveones who you will meet in heaven.  Lots of strength to Michele and the entire family from Wilma and her Ronald.

Will always remember Elly’s amazing  ability to put a smile on everyone’s face and the way she welcomed me into her life. She was unforgettable. My thoughts and prayers go to Michele as well as her family and friends. I hope she is at peace. 
Funny memory- spending over 30 mins trying to work on my posture at the bar at Michigan State. 


I am one of the MANY people who were lucky enough to have been so positively impacted by Elly.  Her presence shined, her presence was heard, her presence was felt in every setting I saw her.  Even in the crowds at Blue Turf, she unabashedly made sure her team, her coaches, and her spectators knew she was there and knew she was showering them with support.  WE LOVE YOU UVA will forever ring with beautiful clarity in my ears.  Thank you for sharing the gift of you, Elly!  

Elly is so much goodness and light. Many snapshots of her in our hearts. Here’s just one:  See her now in her black and white striped dress just behind the fence yelling to the girls on the field, UVA! UVA! UVA!

She was always the biggest cheerleader on the sidelines at the games. You can always hear her saying “WE LOVE YOU UVA”. 🧡💙 
I always joked that I was practicing my tennis game to challenge her one day !! ( I am terrible) 
We will miss her smile and her spirit. 
Prayers for the family 
Michelle & Jeff Starnes 


OBITUARY

Elisabeth "Elly" Appel

27 July, 1952 – 16 July, 2022

Teague Funeral Service

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