Doris De Vries

To Doris DeVries, life was not about the acquisition of material wealth or praise and recognition from others. Life was about the relationships she fostered with her beloved family and service to her Lord and Savior. Doris cherished each day she was given and brought light and life to all those around her.

John and Johanna (Verhey) Mol, of Grand Rapids, Michigan were blessed on April 17, 1919 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Doris, who was born at home. Joining older sister Frances and older brother Marvin, Doris grew up in the family home in Grand Rapids. Her parents purchased her a baby grand piano when she was twelve which became one of her most treasured possessions and remains in the family for future generations. Doris played her beloved piano throughout her lifetime.

As a student, Doris attended Widdicomb School and later, Grand Rapids Christian High School. It was during her high school years that Doris met Monroe Theodore (Bud) DeVries who was a fellow student. Doris continued on to Lucid Secretarial School which later became known as Davenport Business School. Doris and Bud were united in marriage on September 19, 1941. The newlyweds briefly settled in Grand Rapids, but shortly thereafter, Bud entered the Army causing them to move south to various military posts until he was sent overseas.

After the war the couple were blessed with the births of their children Joan, John, Alice, Lois, and Joyce. Doris devoted her life to caring for her children. She shared her love for music with her children and she provided lessons for them all. It was also of extreme importance to Doris that she shape the character of her children, contributing to the adults that they would one day become. She insisted on them putting forth their best effort, including making sure that their homework was always done correctly. Together their family made many fond memories which their children will forever cherish when they took numerous road trips out east. Out of all the lessons and values that she imparted, Doris was most concerned with teaching her children to know and love Jesus Christ.

Before her children were born, Doris worked as a secretary for Beuhler and Sons Furniture, Standard Oil, and Gunn Furniture Company. When they were grown, she joined Bud in the office of DeVries Brother's Awnings and Windows.

There were traits and interests that were unique to Doris and made her the special woman that her family and friends knew and loved. She was an excellent seamstress who made numerous things for her children including unique costumes, school banquet dresses, and even wedding dresses. Doris shared her gift of sewing with her daughters teaching them all to sew as well. She also enjoyed doing needlework and examples of her skill can be found gracing every child’s home. Doris was a good cook who was especially known for her delicious cookies and the cheesy potatoes that she made by the tub full. When grandchildren and great grandchildren were born, Doris delighted in them just as she did in her own children, The dinosaur sweaters she knit for Charlie and David will be forever treasured. Doris volunteered in the West Side Christian School library for many years and recently for the Raybrook library.

Later in life, there were new opportunities that were enjoyable for Doris. She and Bud made several trips to the land of her ancestors and she loved learning about her Dutch heritage. Doris learned to bowl when she was 60 and she learned to golf when she was 70. Unfortunately, the last two years have been plagued by a variety of health challenges for Doris including a hip replacement when she was 89. During this time, her mental clarity began to diminish as well.

Doris DeVries was a remarkable woman who viewed her family as her most precious asset. She was a woman with a strong faith that she used to frame her every thought, word and deed. Doris was dedicated to serving others, often setting aside her own needs in order to defer to the needs of others instead. Doris leaves behind a lifetime of precious memories that will be forever remembered by all who knew and loved her. She will be dearly missed.

Doris M. DeVries died on Monday, May 11, 2009. Doris’s family includes her husband of 67 years, Monroe (Bud); children Joan Kelley of New York, John (Deanna) DeVries of Grand Rapids, Alice (Dan) Spaanstra, Lois (Lou) Knooihuizen, all of Grandville, Joyce (Tim) Tomaselli of New York; grandchildren, David, Christopher, Jeff and Kathy, Steve, Chelsea, Brittany, Kate and Lance, Jessalynn, Elizabeth and Chris, Rebecca, Charles and three great grandchildren, Delaney, Audrey and Micah. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Cornelis Mol and Johanna Verhey Mol, her sister, Frances Mol and brother, Marvin Mol. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Raybrook Manor, 2121 Raybrook SE with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends may meet the family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel – Grand Rapids, MI 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and at the Raybrook Chapel on Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a memory or photo if you are unable to attend or make a memorial contribution to Allendale Christian School, 11050 64th Ave Allendale, 49401, Grandville Christian School, 3934 Wilson Ave. SW, 49418 or West Side Christian School Foundation, 955 Westend NW, GR, 49504