Virginia “Jini” Vanderborgh ’58 De Vries

Virginia De Vries, passed away suddenly on March 29, 2020 from a cardiac event while she was live-streaming church service of Valley Community Presbyterian Church Virginia De Vries, passed away suddenly on March 29, 2020 from a cardiac event while she was live-streaming church service of Valley Community Presbyterian Church from self-isolation at home with her husband, John C. De Vries.

She was teaching music, sewing quilts, volunteering at church and loving her family to her very last day. We believe that she filled her heart with so much love for her family, friends and students, that it finally burst. She lived a purposeful life that positively impacted the world with her beautiful smile, lively conversation, love for music and deep faith. As one friend recently wrote, “she was always uplifting.”

Jini is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dr. John C. De Vries; her children: Kimm (Brent) Wall, Eric (Debby) De Vries and Shon (Donna) De Vries; grandchildren: Madison (Paul) Odomirok; Tanner Wall, Tim De Vries and Ben De Vries; step grandchildren, Taylor Buck and Aaron Buck; great grandson: Weston Knox Odomirok; siblings: Joyce Rink ’55 and Nicholas (Shelby) Vanderborgh; and countless music students whom she loved dearly.

Jini grew up in West Sayville, Long Island, NY a place that was always special to her. She graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI and went on to graduate studies at Bassist College in Portland, OR. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Michigan then as a space planner in Portland before “retiring” to teach music to young children with the Kindermusik curriculum. She remained an active member of Valley Community Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, where she leaves hundreds of close friends in Christ. But most importantly, she was the greatest mother that ever walked the face of the earth who taught her children and grandchildren about manners, sewing, cooking, art, music, gardening, theology, politics and how to live a happy life.