BIOGRAPHICAL EXCERPTS
Helen Van Wesep was born on February 24, 1927, in Grand Rapids. She was the only child of George and Wilma Burggraaff Van Wesep. At first, DeVos attended Frankfort High School located near Traverse City before she moved to Grand Rapids. DeVos completed her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College.
She met Richard in 1946 when Richard and his friend saw her and her best friend walking and offered them a ride. In 1953, Devos walked down the aisle with Richard. Their marriage resulted in four beautiful children: three sons, Dick, Dan, and Doug and a daughter, Cheri DeVos Vanderweide. All have become a part of the operation of Amway.
Devoting most of her time to volunteering and leadership, Helen lent much of her support to her and her husband’s charity, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. The foundation contributed to an array of causes, including Christian churches and ministries. A children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan is named after her.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement: "Her steadfast commitment to helping others can be seen every day in many ways, but particularly as families are cared for during some of their most challenging times at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital."
ARTS. HEALTH CARE. EDUCATION
The King’s College website states, “Mrs. DeVos is well known as a supporter of symphony orchestras and has shared her love of music on both local and national levels." In 1971, she began to serve on the board of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and later on the executive committee; she has been an Honorary Board Member since she retired in 1992. Without question, DeVos was a big fan of everything related to the arts, health care, and education.
Devos was also is an honorary board member of the League of American Orchestras in New York City, where she served as a board member from 1982-1992, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board from 1985-1992 and Chairman of the Nominating Committee from 1989-1991.”
OBITUARY EXCERPTS
"While we grieve her passing, we rejoice in her new life in heaven and are grateful for the countless ways she blessed our lives. We are comforted in knowing that she was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus," her family said in a statement released early Thursday morning, Oct. 19.
Helen died of complications from a stroke following a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia at her Ada home, not far from the renown Grand Rapids children's hospital that bears her name.
"We will never forget her unfailing love, strength and devotion that were truly the heart of our family."
Helen Van Wesep was born on February 24, 1927, in Grand Rapids. She was the only child of George and Wilma Burggraaff Van Wesep. At first, DeVos attended Frankfort High School located near Traverse City before she moved to Grand Rapids. DeVos completed her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College.
She met Richard in 1946 when Richard and his friend saw her and her best friend walking and offered them a ride. In 1953, Devos walked down the aisle with Richard. Their marriage resulted in four beautiful children: three sons, Dick, Dan, and Doug and a daughter, Cheri DeVos Vanderweide. All have become a part of the operation of Amway.
Devoting most of her time to volunteering and leadership, Helen lent much of her support to her and her husband’s charity, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. The foundation contributed to an array of causes, including Christian churches and ministries. A children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan is named after her.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement: "Her steadfast commitment to helping others can be seen every day in many ways, but particularly as families are cared for during some of their most challenging times at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital."
ARTS. HEALTH CARE. EDUCATION
The King’s College website states, “Mrs. DeVos is well known as a supporter of symphony orchestras and has shared her love of music on both local and national levels." In 1971, she began to serve on the board of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and later on the executive committee; she has been an Honorary Board Member since she retired in 1992. Without question, DeVos was a big fan of everything related to the arts, health care, and education.
Devos was also is an honorary board member of the League of American Orchestras in New York City, where she served as a board member from 1982-1992, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board from 1985-1992 and Chairman of the Nominating Committee from 1989-1991.”
OBITUARY EXCERPTS
"While we grieve her passing, we rejoice in her new life in heaven and are grateful for the countless ways she blessed our lives. We are comforted in knowing that she was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus," her family said in a statement released early Thursday morning, Oct. 19.
Helen died of complications from a stroke following a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia at her Ada home, not far from the renown Grand Rapids children's hospital that bears her name.
"We will never forget her unfailing love, strength and devotion that were truly the heart of our family."
BIOGRAPHICAL EXCERPTS
Helen Van Wesep was born on February 24, 1927, in Grand Rapids. She was the only child of George and Wilma Burggraaff Van Wesep. At first, DeVos attended Frankfort High School located near Traverse City before she moved to Grand Rapids. DeVos completed her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College.
She met Richard in 1946 when Richard and his friend saw her and her best friend walking and offered them a ride. In 1953, Devos walked down the aisle with Richard. Their marriage resulted in four beautiful children: three sons, Dick, Dan, and Doug and a daughter, Cheri DeVos Vanderweide. All have become a part of the operation of Amway.
Devoting most of her time to volunteering and leadership, Helen lent much of her support to her and her husband’s charity, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. The foundation contributed to an array of causes, including Christian churches and ministries. A children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan is named after her.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement: "Her steadfast commitment to helping others can be seen every day in many ways, but particularly as families are cared for during some of their most challenging times at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital."
ARTS. HEALTH CARE. EDUCATION
The King’s College website states, “Mrs. DeVos is well known as a supporter of symphony orchestras and has shared her love of music on both local and national levels." In 1971, she began to serve on the board of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and later on the executive committee; she has been an Honorary Board Member since she retired in 1992. Without question, DeVos was a big fan of everything related to the arts, health care, and education.
Devos was also is an honorary board member of the League of American Orchestras in New York City, where she served as a board member from 1982-1992, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board from 1985-1992 and Chairman of the Nominating Committee from 1989-1991.”
OBITUARY EXCERPTS
"While we grieve her passing, we rejoice in her new life in heaven and are grateful for the countless ways she blessed our lives. We are comforted in knowing that she was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus," her family said in a statement released early Thursday morning, Oct. 19.
Helen died of complications from a stroke following a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia at her Ada home, not far from the renown Grand Rapids children's hospital that bears her name.
"We will never forget her unfailing love, strength and devotion that were truly the heart of our family."
Helen Van Wesep was born on February 24, 1927, in Grand Rapids. She was the only child of George and Wilma Burggraaff Van Wesep. At first, DeVos attended Frankfort High School located near Traverse City before she moved to Grand Rapids. DeVos completed her graduation with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College.
She met Richard in 1946 when Richard and his friend saw her and her best friend walking and offered them a ride. In 1953, Devos walked down the aisle with Richard. Their marriage resulted in four beautiful children: three sons, Dick, Dan, and Doug and a daughter, Cheri DeVos Vanderweide. All have become a part of the operation of Amway.
Devoting most of her time to volunteering and leadership, Helen lent much of her support to her and her husband’s charity, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. The foundation contributed to an array of causes, including Christian churches and ministries. A children’s hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan is named after her.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement: "Her steadfast commitment to helping others can be seen every day in many ways, but particularly as families are cared for during some of their most challenging times at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital."
ARTS. HEALTH CARE. EDUCATION
The King’s College website states, “Mrs. DeVos is well known as a supporter of symphony orchestras and has shared her love of music on both local and national levels." In 1971, she began to serve on the board of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and later on the executive committee; she has been an Honorary Board Member since she retired in 1992. Without question, DeVos was a big fan of everything related to the arts, health care, and education.
Devos was also is an honorary board member of the League of American Orchestras in New York City, where she served as a board member from 1982-1992, as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board from 1985-1992 and Chairman of the Nominating Committee from 1989-1991.”
OBITUARY EXCERPTS
"While we grieve her passing, we rejoice in her new life in heaven and are grateful for the countless ways she blessed our lives. We are comforted in knowing that she was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus," her family said in a statement released early Thursday morning, Oct. 19.
Helen died of complications from a stroke following a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia at her Ada home, not far from the renown Grand Rapids children's hospital that bears her name.
"We will never forget her unfailing love, strength and devotion that were truly the heart of our family."
Bio by: Petoskey History
