New Lenox Siblings Mourn Mother's Death Just Six Years After Their Father's

NEW LENOX, IL — A longtime New Lenox family is mourning the loss of its mother figure, after she suffered cardiac arrest just before the end of the year.

Siblings Trystan, 26, Ashley, 22, and Gabriella DeVries, 16, are grappling with their mother Susan's unexpected death Dec. 30, at the age of 55. Her death comes less than 10 years after that of their father, John DeVries, at the age of 45.

Neither parent was ill at the time, the siblings said, leaving them in deep shock and grief.

"She was the real embodiment of a friend to so many people in the community, the embodiment of love," said Ashley DeVries. "She was the kindest person that I’m sure so many people have ever met. I’ll never forget her positivity in life."

Susan was supportive of her children's athletic pursuits throughout their childhoods, often being known as the teams' soccer mom who would bring snacks and drinks. In a social media post sharing the news of her passing, many noted her kind and generous nature. She was an active parent during her son's time with New Lenox Park District baseball, as well as being hands-on during all three children's time at Lincoln-Way Central High School.

"She was involved in every single thing she could when I was a kid," Ashley said. "My mom would volunteer to be one of the helper parents, very involved with all three of our school lives."

Once a lab tech at a private doctor's office, she most recently spent her days babysitting her twin grandsons Sawyer and River, 4. The family members shared one home in New Lenox. Her positive, giving nature radiated throughout their family and community.

"She always wanted to make sure everyone was happy," Trystan DeVries said, "and had a full stomach."

Trystan had been on the phone with his mother—who was sitting alongside his sister—when she suffered cardiac arrest and become unconscious. Paramedics worked to resuscitate her for 30 minutes, before taking her to Silver Cross Hospital, where she later died. Such an unexpected death is something the siblings know all too well, after the death of their father in 2016.

John DeVries, who had been manager of Little Joe's Pizza in New Lenox, was doing yard work when he collapsed—likely due to an issue with his pacemaker, his children said—then hitting his head and suffering a bleed in his brain. Blood thinning medication he had been taking complicated things, ultimately compounding to lead to his death.

Their mother had been the salve on the deep wound of their grief.

"She was there for emotional support, kept providing for us," Trystan said. "Still making sure we were able to enjoy our life. Go back to somewhat normal things, so we could still enjoy life."

Susan "had a very big heart," said Lincoln-Way Central High School junior Gabrielle DeVries.

"She was such a light to everyone that she touched," Ashley DeVries said. "I’ve never met a person who had anything but amazing things to say about my mom, she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She was the best mom we could have asked for."

Her sense of humor also stood out, they said.

"She treated everything with humor," Trystan said.

While the family has aunts and uncles, and one surviving grandparent, in addition to many cousins, they've started a GoFundMe to offset funeral costs, as well as in hopes of holding on to their family's home.

Trystan is employed at a Home Depot warehouse facility; Ashley works at Mod Pizza and also Little Joe's, both in New Lenox. Gabriella works at Culver's and will soon be transitioning to a position at Chipotle in Frankfort.

"The mortgage is a little behind, because my mom was struggling a bit," Trystan DeVries said. "Home repairs need to be done, too."

In the days ahead, the siblings say they will lean on each other. Visitation for Susan will be held Thursday, Jan. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m. with a funeral service to follow at 7 p.m., at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) in Orland Park.

"... Staying together, and just being there for each other every night," Ashley DeVries said, about how they'll cope. "A lot of leaning on loved ones for support and guidance, and remembering that our mom is now with our dad, who she missed very much for the past six years."

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