When I met Leza to write down her story for my book she had just turned 90 years old. Her café was packed with flowers and a few days before she was driven around the village in an open top oldtimer accompanied by the sixty ‘Dworpse Bikers’ who congregated in her café every sunday.
Leza was also famous outside village borders of Dworp. Beerlovers and café tourists knew her for her excellent beer pouring skills. Leza was able to pour four pints of geuze beer at the same time and did this with the concentration of an eagle. With her 91 years she still served her customers at their table, taking small steps in her little slippers.
When Leza visited ‘In de Welkom’ as a child, she never thought she would ever live there but years later she could not imagine herself anywhere else. As long as she could she would open the doors to her café.
On 8 december the doors closed and Leza was no longer.
What will happen to her precious ‘In de Welkom’ I do not know. Leza didn’t know this either before she passed. I can only hope that this iconic café will remain open for decades to come so that Leza can live on in the stories that are told.
For the many young customers Leza was a grandmother, for the others she was a dear friend. Never has there been a woman in Dworp who was loved more than Leza was.
Sleep well Leza. Sleep well Barbara.
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