Even after Jo’s passing, in November 2021, Marlies made an important contribution to the soul of the estate with her vital, incisive and generous spirit, her unsurpassed hospitality and attentive eye for quality and detail until the very last moment. Working in the garden, her favourite pastime, or busy with the flowers in her orchid greenhouse. Caring and involved in the ups and downs of our volunteers and staff, and generous in welcoming artists (who were not infrequently pampered culinarily while working on an exhibition) and interested visitors to the castle. It will be difficult for all involved in the estate to have to miss her vibrant, warm presence.

Fortunately, Jo and Marlies’ life’s work will be continued. The foundation they set up for this purpose back in 2012 has the mission to maintain and further develop the so-called ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ in Wijlre as a place for art, nature, heritage and architecture. With the support of partners like the Elisabeth Strouven Fund (owner of the estate since 2017) and structural subsidisers like the Province of Limburg and the Municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, the foundation will continue to develop this young public cultural institution in the spirit of Jo and Marlies in the years to come.