Mary DeVries

Mary Ellen DeVries lived a quiet life in New York City for twenty-five pleasant years. She held many different positions while in the Big Apple, but the most memorable was her job as a librarian for a big brokerage firm. Living in the city that never sleeps, Mary Ellen thrived on seeing everything it had to offer. There seemed to be excitement around every corner and she always looked forward to what was around the next bend.

Mary made her historical debute by being a part of the famous Babyboomers. It was November 29, 1951, when her parents, Gerald and Meridith (Dennis) DeVries knew their family was complete with her arrival. They happily introduced her to her two big brothers, Denny and Bernie and together the family resided in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from Union High School, Mary went on to attend the University of Michigan. She was proud to be a U of M graduate and she remained a big Michigan fan all her life.

As a young woman, she deeply admired the actress Rosalind Russell who stared in her all time favorite movie, Auntie Mame. She enjoyed theater and especially loved what the old movies brought to the silver screen. Ironically, Mary was a private person, and she herself always refused to be photographed.

A few years after graduating from the University of Michigan, Mary ventured out east to New York City. Although she settled in and made the city her home, she loved her family and looked forward to returning every Christmas to reunite with loved ones. Staying connected with her parents was also important to her and she was sure to call them a couple times a week. In 1996, her father, Gerald passed away, leaving Mary and her mother Meridith to look to one another for comfort. Just two years ago, the family also suffered the loss of Mary's brother Bernie. The pain of losing a love one is devastating and Mary returned home to seek solace and friendship with her dear mother.

Mary was loved and cared for dearly by her parents, brothers, sisters-in-law's, nieces, nephews and friends. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Mary E. DeVries, age 54 of Grand Rapids passed away July 23, 2006. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Gerald, and by her brother, Bernie DeVries. Mary is survived by her mother, Meridith DeVries; brother and sister-in-law Denny and Phyl DeVries; nieces and nephews Dan and Kerrie DeVries, Dave and Gwen DeVries and Deb and Eric Nelson as well as their children. A private funeral service was held with interment in Fairplains Cemetery. To read more about her life or to share a favorite memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.