The procedure to name the nameless shortcut near the library after Germaine Robberechts, better known as Sister Gabrielle, was initiated to express appreciation for her connection to Dendermonde and her significance to many residents.
On May 20, 2026, the municipal council provisionally approved the street name ‘Zuster Gabriellehof’. A public inquiry was subsequently held from June 2 to July 2, 2026, as legally required.
During this inquiry, the city received 9 objections, one of which was supported by 1,258 signatures. The objections raised questions about the legal status of Sister Gabrielle, prompting further advice.
The Royal Commission for Toponymy and Dialectology issued an unfavorable opinion on legal grounds. Further examination revealed that Sister Gabrielle had not been legally declared deceased, which is a condition for naming a street after a person.
Based on the objections and the obtained advice, the municipal council decided on October 14, 2026, not to definitively approve the street name ‘Zuster Gabriellehof’, thereby halting the procedure.
