Valerie Louise DeVries (Riggs), 72, of South Haven, Michigan, passed away on November 10, 2024.

Valerie was born on February 2nd, 1952 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Dorriel Duane Riggs and Louise Iona Irene Riggs (née Dewey).

Valerie graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1970, then went on to Lakeland Community College later in life, earning an Associate's degree in Library Science. She was incredibly curious, loved to read and ponder life's mysteries and wanted to help others find information that would satisfy their own curiosity.

After a whirlwind romance, Valerie married Roger DeVries on April 4th, 1971 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rog and Val were happily married for 52 years. Together, they built 4 houses in 2 states (Michigan and Ohio), raised 3 children (Tim, Sara, and Emily), and were proud grandparents of 4 grandsons (Timmy, Bradley, Ryan, and Oscar) and 2 granddaughters (Emma and Malina). During their retirement, they traveled extensively together, experiencing this beautiful country in Roger's trusty van. Valerie was also able to travel to Ireland and enjoy Caribbean and Scandinavian ocean cruises with her family which she/we greatly treasured.

Valerie was a dedicated homemaker, with occasional stints in the workforce as a retail worker and office assistant when the household needed extra cash. But nurturing a loving home for her family was her passion and she did it brilliantly.

Valerie especially loved yarn, thread, and needle crafts and happily spent her days creating works of art that adorned her family and home and were gifted to family and friends. Her legacy of creative loving kindness will live on in her art for decades to come.

Valerie was a member of the Christian Science Church and was an active member of her community churches her entire life. She was the most popular reader of weekly scripture lessons due to her articulate speech and measured nuance of emotion and feeling. She was dedicated to her faith and living its tenets.

Whoever knew Valerie, loved her immediately. To her, everyone was a friend who deserved respect and kindness. If there were more Valeries, this world would be a better place and we mourn her immense loss from this world. She was a light that guided us and she will continue on lighting the way wherever she is needed.