Diane DeVries

On Wednesday, January 9, 2019, Diane DeVries, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the age of 75. Diane was born on June 5, 1943, in Ogden, Utah.  She graduated from Ben Lomond High School and attended Weber State College on a drama scholarship.  After earning an associates degree, she finished her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in elementary education.  She met her love, Ronald Wesley DeVries, at Utah State and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 24, 1967.  They made their home and raised their family in Ogden, Utah.

Diane was a mother first—her five children knew she genuinely loved them from the stories she acted out for them when they were young, by making time for each as they came home from school, attending all of their extracurricular events, and by connecting personally with each.  She kept an organized home and often sang as she went about her daily activities.  She taught her children the value of hard work and to always do their best.  Her grandchildren loved reading with her, playing games and doing puzzles.  Grandma made individuals feel special and would say, “You’re such a good boy/girl”, to each.

After raising five children, she pursued her teaching career.  She was the kind of teacher that former students stopped to hug when they saw her at the grocery store or paid for her meal at the pizza parlor because she had taught them so many years ago.Diane was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—she treasured her time spent as an ordinance worker in the Ogden temple and loved studying the gospel and the scriptures.  Ron describes Diane as his sweetheart and the greatest blessing in his life.  We love her and she will be missed.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Wesley DeVries; five children: Michael DeVries (Jeni), Mountain Green; Elizabeth Packer (Steve), Pocatello, ID; Scott DeVries (Michelle), Pleasant View; Stephen DeVries (Sara) Highland; Gregory DeVries (Emily), Pleasant View. She is also survived by two siblings, Tim Healy and Marcia Denham, and 23 grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Leah Healy, and two siblings, Mike Healy and Sandy Heer.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 17th at 11:00 AM at Harrisville First Ward Church: 435 W Harrisville Road, Ogden Utah.  There will be a viewing at the church Wednesday, January 16th from 6-8 PM and on Thursday, January 17th from 9:30-10:30.  She will be interred at Ben Lomond Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at Serenicare.com

Special thanks to the wonderful care provided by her hospice care nurses, Annette and Kathy.