Obituary of Nellie DeVries

With loved ones at her side, Nellie (Neeltje) DeVries, nee Hiemstra, was peacefully taken home to her Lord and Saviour in her 87^th year. Beloved wife of Bill (Bouke) DeVries for more than 46 yrs until he went to be with the Lord January 2003.

Loving Mom of four children and their families:

Bob & Yvonne DeVries (Leanne & Derek Zylstra, Jordyn) (Steven & Thamara DeVries Isabel, Jeremiah, Jake), (James & Ngan DeVries, Lily, Alivia, Alexander, Jackson, Christopher), (David & Tasha DeVries, Isaac, Ava)

Mark Marion (deceased 2024), Irene Katie Marion (Michael Marion, Sarah Zeversenuke, Paige, Jacob, Lydia) (Melissa & Jeremy VanBarneveld, Addison, Isabella) (Matthew Marion, deceased 2024)

Debi & Rob DenOuden (Austin DenOuden, Noah), (Crysta DenOuden, deceased 2016) (Emily DenOuden, Keilani), (Jordan DenOuden) 

Kim & Pete Heida (Andrew Heida & Lydia Wolfbauer), (Brooke Heida)

Also loved, Yolanda & John DeVries (Chantal DeVries, Cole DeVries)

Mom was born in Leeuwarden Friesland, and immigrated from the Netherlands with her parents and siblings in June 1947 on the SS Waterman. They arrived in Montreal settling in Owen Sound, then Camlachie. There she met Bill who would become the love of her life. Following the Hiemstra family’s move to London Nel and Bill both worked at Victoria Hospital. Dad as a porter, Mom as a Candy Striper. Nellie married Bill in 1956 at the age of 18 and a year later, began their own family.  Together, they also began parenting many other young children and teens for several years at the Salvation Army Children’s Village. After their time at “The Village” they continued to foster other children in their home. They began a successful cleaning/janitorial business partnership for over 30 years, providing first employment opportunities for numerous young teens. They eventually sold the business, and together began another new career providing 24 hour residential support for adults with mental health and developmental disabilities at Crest Support Services in Elginfield. Following that, Mom and Dad continued with their joint career by driving school bus for special needs children until Dad’s sudden passing in 2003. Living in her Gramma flat with Kim & Pete, Andrew and Brooke, helped to ease the loneliness and grief of losing Dad. Kim’s close support became essential as Mom experienced many health issues over the next 20 years.

Due to declining mobility, in February 2023 Nellie moved to Kensington Village Retirement Home where her sister Riek also lived. There she made a few close friends and left lasting impressions on staff. Special thanks to Dr. Dan Leger and all the staff and caregivers on Canterbury wing for your gentle and loving attention.

A celebration of Nellie’s life will be held on Saturday, January 11th 2025 at North Park Community Church 1510 Fanshawe Park Rd London. Pastor Paul McIlwraith officiating. Visitation at 1 pm, memorial service at 2 pm followed by a reception. There will be a private family interment.

John 14:1-3

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Psalm 27:4a

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.