Virginia Saveria “Ginny ” DeVries
August 8th, 1930 - November 20th, 2024
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Ginny's Obituary
Virginia Saveria “Ginny” DeVries, 94, of New Buffalo, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 at Corewell Health Lakeland in St. Joseph, Michigan. She was born on August 8th, 1930, to Pasquale “Charles” and Saveria (Novello) Castiglia in Chicago, Illinois.
Ginny graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago. She worked for Plastic Masters of Chicago and later for the Publisher News in New Buffalo. In her later years, Ginny owned and operated her own cleaning business. She became close friends with many of her clients and many of them thought of her as family. Some of her notable clients included Jesse Owens’ family, summer cottage for Chicago Cubs team and Karrigans grill. It was here where she became friends with Mayor Daly and many others.
Ginny had many interests and hobbies that included couponing and collecting antiques. She also had a green thumb. Roses were her favorite flower. She also grew a large variety of indoor plants, including the Christmas cactus, geraniums and spider plants. Ginny loved cats. She cared not only for her own cats over the years, but also for many strays as well. She truly enjoyed people and had a servant’s heart in caring for others. She was always willing and happy to help others in any way she could.
In her later years, Ginny enjoyed spending time at the Senior Center. She was very active in her community, participating in bingo, dances and many other events. She cherished her family and she would always support them in any way she could, regardless of their circumstances.
She is survived by her sister Marlene (Herman) Brockman; children, Dean (Dina) DeVries, Ellen (Thomas) Diener and Sandra (Paul) Drescher. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard DeVries, Cynthia Frias, Paulina (Michael) Leeney, Tracy (Robert) Amid, Randy Greening, Jamie Staback, Heather Cassidy, Crystal Staback and Ashley Kritzer. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and close family member and friend, Michelle DeVries-Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Saveria Castiglia; sister, Kathleen “Lena”; brothers, Joseph and Attilio “Amy”; husband, Eugene; and granddaughter, Robinette DeAnne Mandarino.
Visitation will take place prior to the service on Wednesday, December 4th from 10:30am-12:30pm ET at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm ET on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at St. Mary of the Lake Parish, 718 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to her estate in care of Ellen Diener to assist with funeral expenses. Any remaining funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Robinette.
Ginny graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago. She worked for Plastic Masters of Chicago and later for the Publisher News in New Buffalo. In her later years, Ginny owned and operated her own cleaning business. She became close friends with many of her clients and many of them thought of her as family. Some of her notable clients included Jesse Owens’ family, summer cottage for Chicago Cubs team and Karrigans grill. It was here where she became friends with Mayor Daly and many others.
Ginny had many interests and hobbies that included couponing and collecting antiques. She also had a green thumb. Roses were her favorite flower. She also grew a large variety of indoor plants, including the Christmas cactus, geraniums and spider plants. Ginny loved cats. She cared not only for her own cats over the years, but also for many strays as well. She truly enjoyed people and had a servant’s heart in caring for others. She was always willing and happy to help others in any way she could.
In her later years, Ginny enjoyed spending time at the Senior Center. She was very active in her community, participating in bingo, dances and many other events. She cherished her family and she would always support them in any way she could, regardless of their circumstances.
She is survived by her sister Marlene (Herman) Brockman; children, Dean (Dina) DeVries, Ellen (Thomas) Diener and Sandra (Paul) Drescher. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richard DeVries, Cynthia Frias, Paulina (Michael) Leeney, Tracy (Robert) Amid, Randy Greening, Jamie Staback, Heather Cassidy, Crystal Staback and Ashley Kritzer. She is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and close family member and friend, Michelle DeVries-Henry. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Saveria Castiglia; sister, Kathleen “Lena”; brothers, Joseph and Attilio “Amy”; husband, Eugene; and granddaughter, Robinette DeAnne Mandarino.
Visitation will take place prior to the service on Wednesday, December 4th from 10:30am-12:30pm ET at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm ET on Wednesday, December 4th, 2024, at St. Mary of the Lake Parish, 718 W. Buffalo Street, New Buffalo. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to her estate in care of Ellen Diener to assist with funeral expenses. Any remaining funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society in memory of Robinette.
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