In Memory

Anne Ballinger (DeVries)

Anne Ballinger (DeVries)

SOUTH OGDEN (Alice) Anne Ballinger DeVries, 80, passed away peacefully in her home of 50 years on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, with her children at her side.

She was born February 8, 1943 in Ogden, Utah the daughter of Pearson (P.A.) Ballinger and Alice Adams. 

She graduated from Ogden High School and completed her Bachelors degree at Weber State University, followed by her Master's degree in Education from Utah State University.

Anne married Douglas DeVries in 1961 and they had two children together, Diana and Bryan.  

She had a great love for learning and teaching. She taught a variety of elementary grade levels at various schools. Anne especially enjoyed teaching science and was well liked by her students. She retired in 2009 after teaching for 30 years. She was the recipient of many wedding invitations and thank you note from former students. She often heard "Mrs. DeVries! Do you remember me?", as she ran into them at the grocery store.

Anne loved adventure, and that often took form in her life through traveling. Whether by tent trailer or an international flight, she loved to see the world. Her travels took her multiple times to various parts of Europe and Asia. She always made sure to send her family fun postcards and bring them back souvenirs from her adventures.

A great highlight of her life was an opportunity to combine her two passions of traveling and teaching. In 1990, Anne received a Fulbright Scholarship to do a teacher exchange in Scotland for one year. She taught first grade at Wishaw Academy and loved every minute of it. Her time in Scotland made a lasting impact on her life.

Anne had a great love and appreciation for the performing arts. She attended the Shakespeare Festival religiously each summer and had annual tickets to the Utah Symphony and Ballet. She loved to attend concerts and was a huge fan of Kurt Bestor, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli. She enjoyed unique, handcrafted art pieces in any form and often frequented the local farmers markets. 

One of her great talents was gathering people, both family and friends. She gathered regularly with "the girls" (a friend group from high school), participated in book club, canasta, and water aerobics. She was also involved with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Anne made friends everywhere she went, and was known for her fun and cheery disposition. She could get her friends out of their comfort zone to feel brave enough to try new things with her. She loved to host a crowd and her social calendar could never be too full.

Anne thought a meal was never complete without a sweet. She had an exceptional sweet tooth and always made sure there was a candy bowl out for company to enjoy. She loved her pets, and owned several dogs, a cat, a rat and the escape artist, Poe, the iguana. Each year she grew a large garden in her backyard that many family and friends enjoyed the fruits of.

Though Anne was a woman of many passions and hobbies, her family was her greatest love. She was always anxious to support her children and grandchildren in whatever capacity she was able. For many years, she gathered her family for Sunday dinners and hosted them for most every holiday. She loved celebrating birthdays and was very proud of her family and their accomplishments. Her fun, adventurous personality allowed her to be a very involved and active grandmother. She leaves her family with a great legacy of experiences and memories together. 

She was a member of the Ogden 6th Ward serving faithfully in many callings, many of which included teaching in Relief Society and Primary.

Surviving are her two children: Diana Hanselman of Mountain Green; Bryan DeVries of Bountiful. Four grandchildren: Megan (Daniel) Wouden of Eagle Mountain; Garet Hanselman of Austin, TX; Gavin Hanselman of Layton; Hannah Peterson of Salt Lake City; and 2 great grandchildren with another expected this summer.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Linda Requa.