Judith Ann Devries

Heaven received a beautiful angel on October 20, 2020. Judith Ann DeVries (nee Seibert), loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away from Alzheimer’s Disease peacefully at home with her family by her side. She was 84 years old.

Shakespeare once wrote, “the eyes are the window to the soul.” Judy’s bright smiling blue eyes reflected a profound kindness and goodness that put others before herself. She was a woman of deep faith in God who prayed daily for her family, friends, and the world. Judy never knew a stranger and made friends everywhere, whether at church ministry, book club, bridge group, exercise class, volunteering, or travelling. Even in the Alzheimer’s support group, her bright eyes and smile comforted others afflicted with memory loss. She was always true to herself and God.

She was born and raised in Alton, Illinois to a baking family. While studying home economics at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri, Judy Seibert met Neil DeVries at a school “mixer” dance and thus began one of the greatest love stories. They married on June 21, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alton. Though they would eventually move to Milwaukee, her friends from Alton and Fontbonne always remained near and dear to her heart.

Together, Judy and Neil created a lifetime of memories including raising a family, social gathering with friends, volunteering at church, and of course travelling. These “travelling grandparents,” as she would sign every postcard, toured all 50 states and 28 countries. Judy documented all of her trips with her best friend and partner in countless albums for her family and friends to enjoy.

A master seamstress, Judy created beautiful clothing for herself, daughters, and granddaughters. Her grandchildren are still snuggling with her quilts and stuffed animals.

The Seibert family baking business was a significant influence on her career. She was called the “shopping teacher” at Milwaukee Area Technical College and counselled families on nutrition at House of Peace in Milwaukee.

Judy loved volunteering for the community and staying updated on local and world events. She was a member of the Friends of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Board for many years as well as a docent for the MSO and Milwaukee Public Museum.

She is dearly missed by all her family and friends. Judy’s greatest joy was her loving family of her husband, five children, twelve grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Her wonderful family includes her husband of 62 years Neil DeVries; Tom DeVries (m. Ellen), Apple Valley, MN (children Peter (m. Christa) and Sarah of Apple Valley); Kathy DeVries (m. Dick Hawkins), Milwaukee, WI (son Jason (m. Jonas Nahm) of Washington DC); Jim DeVries (m. Sherry), Plymouth, WI (children Samantha Brockway (m. Robert and daughter Isla) of Plymouth, Harrison (m. Lauren) of Huntington Beach, CA, Shannon and Hannah of Plymouth); Sue Dunnigan (m. Sean) Gurnee, IL (children Tim of Kenosha, WI, Claire and Joe of Gurnee); and Beth Sheils (m. Matt) Lakeville, MN (children Jack and Natalie).

Judy was preceded in death by her father, Edward Victor Siebert, mother Catherine Seibert, and brother Vic Seibert.

Visitation with family will be held at 10:00 AM followed by 11:00 AM Mass on Friday, October 30 at St. Charles Church, 313 Circle Dr, Hartland, WI 53029. Please wear a mask. The service will be streamed live.

The family asks to wear something blue that day to honor Judy’s favorite color and her bright smiling blue eyes. Roses will be placed by the altar for each member of her family to represent her love of gardening. The family will celebrate Judy’s life again in July 2021 with a ceremony at their annual Door County reunion.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association – Judy DeVries Tribute Page: http://act.alz.org/goto/Judy_DeVries