She was "sassy, colourful and unique" and a true blessing in the lives of those she met, she said.
Although she didn't have "a musical bone in her body" she lived for the beat, she said.
Van Bavel would follow gigs around the country and spent most Friday and Saturday night's grooving to the music being played in Tauranga's bars.
She hardly ever touched alcohol but the music would always take hold and she would be the first on - and the last person off - the dance floor.
Her granddaughter Alix Walles said her oma [Dutch for grandmother] often outdanced her.
She recalled visiting Tauranga to spend New Year's Eve with her oma and her friends and they were at the pub dancing.
Nana Holland celebrating her 85th birthday last year. Photo / Jo Jones
Walles began to feel tired after midnight and was getting ready to leave. She reached out to her grandmother and said it was time to go, to which van Bavel responded: "well, I'll see you later then".
She continued to dance late into the night.
"She was just hilarious ... I learned all my Dutch swear words from her and that's all I know of the language.
"She taught me not to care and just to do what you love in life."
Some of van Bavel's favourite dancing tunes were played at her funeral service yesterday morning.
"She was family to so many in Tauranga."
Willy Johanna van Bavel, 86, who was well-known for being Tauranga's favourite groover, died on Monday. Photo / Supplied
One of her favourite places to dance was at Tauranga's Crown and Badger pub. Staff posted a fitting tribute on their Facebook page to their 'Nana Holland'.
"You graced our dance floors every weekend, came in for coffees and a chat all the time. You touched the lives of so many and we are all going to miss you so much.
