Barbara Hydorn Keil DeVries, a 1969 graduate of Wayland High School, died of brain cancer early Thursday morning, Sept. 22, in hospice.
The subject of a Townbroadcast feature story earlier this year, she was 65 years old.
DeVries was diagnosed with brain cancer in May. Friday, June 3, was her last day of work at the Kent County Community Action Agency, which helps low income people with things such as food, rent, utilities. She had been specializing in working with clients on reducing energy consumption.
DeVries had held a variety of positions at the agency over the last six years. She also worked for many years in management and accounting at J&J and Associates Trucking Co.
Barb loved painting, fireworks, going to art prize, her puppies, and always looked for the best in everyone.
Barbara Hydorn graduated from Wayland High School and attended Grand Valley State University, where her fiancé, Richard Keil, was going to school. The two married in late 1970 and she dropped out of GVSU and they lived in Alabama, Missouri and Kansas for five years before returning to this area to help their ailing parents.
The two divorced in 1983. She married Denny DeVries in 1996.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Douglas Hydorn. She is survived by her husband, Denny DeVries; her sisters, Margie Nash, Sandy Raymond, and her children, Melissa (Keil) Collins, Briana Keil, Shawn (Jenn) DeVries, Sarah DeVries, DJ (Sharon) DeVries, 7 grandchildren and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at St Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dorr (4125 18th St) with visitation from 10 to 11 am. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service.
