Mary Diane Van Gorp was born August 13, 1950, to Wilbur “Bill” and Beatrice “Bea” (Vande Kieft) De Jong. Mary was baptized at Second Christian Reformed Church. She made profession of faith in 1968 at First Christian Reformed Church together with Dennis Van Gorp. Mary was a 1968 graduate of Pella Christian High School, where she found the love of her life in her senior year. Mary attended Dordt College for one year and then served as a nurse’s aide for two years. On August 21, 1970, she was united in marriage to Dennis G. Van Gorp at the First Christian Reformed Church. Mary and Dennis made many life-long friendships through the Pella Jaycees. She became a busy mom when their daughter Jill arrived and 2 ½ years later when Daniel came into the picture. Mary loved cooking, watching football, working on crossword puzzles, and babysitting her grandchildren. She was always a wealth of knowledge about current events and sports.

Her heart was full of love, she loved the cats, dogs, birds, she even gave apples and carrots to the deer in the back yard. She was very organized - there was a right place and right time for everything. She enjoyed planning ahead for things, and she was especially eager for special times with family and friends.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Dennis Van Gorp and their family: Jill (Tom) De Vries of Pella and Daniel Van Gorp of Pierre, South Dakota; grandchildren: Alexis (Tyler) Dafflitto and Zachary (fiancé Brylee Folkerts) De Vries, and one great grandchild Seraphina Dafflitto. Mary is also survived by her brother, Mark (Mary) De Jong of Pella, sisters-in-law Ethel Van Rheenen of Pella and Nancy (Cornell) Venema of Dyer, Indiana, and her nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Bill and Bea De Jong, parents-in-law Ed and Edith Van Gorp, and brother-in-law Irvin Van Rheenen.

Memorials may be given to Pella Christian Schools or Hospice of Pella.