Marie (Reilly) DeVries

DEVRIES, MARIE THERESE (nee REILLY), age 85, died surrounded by family on March 14 at her home in Media, Pennsylvania. Her sparkling blue eyes lit up many lives.  

Born in Philadelphia, Marie grew strong in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia in the arms of loving parents, Jack and Marie Reilly, and the caring company of her older brother Jack and younger sister Mercita.  She attended West Catholic High School and graduated from Immaculata College in 1960 with an education degree. Her schoolmates remained her close friends for life.  After launching her teaching career in Delaware County, Marie married Raymond E. DeVries of Drexel Hill in 1963. They lived in Media, where Marie dedicated herself to raising five children until relaunching her teaching career at Nativity B.V.M. grade school (Media) in 1973 and continuing it at St. Kevin’s grade school (Springfield) until her retirement. Her summers were spent in Ocean City, New Jersey where she got a little more time to relax from her busy schedule.  In addition to being a supermom, a loving wife, and a dear friend to many souls, Marie was a devoted member of Nativity B.V.M. in Media.

Marie is survived by her loving husband Ray and their five children: Ray (Susanne Bathke) and their four children Nicolas, Zoe, Max and Layla; Therese (Gregory Narzikul) and their three children Kara, Mary and Gregory; Anne and her two children Teagan and Maggie; Dan (Karen Sailer) and their three children Jack (Alex Putman), Danny and Nicole; and Beth (Christopher Pastore) and their four children Chris, Andrew, Celia and Luke. Marie is also survived by her younger sister Mercita McClain of Burleson, Texas, and great grandson Vincent.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 9-11:00 A.M. Tuesday, March 26th at Nativity B.V.M. Church, 30 East Franklin Street, Media, PA 19063 followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:00 A.M.  Never shy about getting her wishes, Marie requested that you embellish your outfit with something in her favorite blue color to say your goodbyes.

And finally, in lieu of flowers, please consider celebrating Marie’s dedication to education with donations to Immaculata Class of 1960 Scholarship Fund, a fund she helped to start. Donations can be sent to: Immaculata University Institutional Advancement 1145 W. King Road, Lourdes #201, Malvern, PA 19345, or by going to the Immaculata website at www.immaculata.edu/give