Deidre Bayendor

Deidre Bayendor was born in Harrow, Middlesex, England on September 15, 1941. She was the second of four children born to Lily Harris and Terrance Defries. Being a child born during World War II, Di learned to appreciate the value of home and family. Her father served as a plane mechanic for the Royal Air Force during the war, while her mother ran a small shop. As the family grew, they moved to Shepherd's Bush area of London. Although Di received a place at the prestigious Godolphin and Latimer school for girls, she was taken from school early to work at Whatney's Department store. She met one of her very best friends there, Carole Hazel. When Deidre was 24 she met and married Mehran Bayendor, a university student from Iran. Though her parents objected to the match, the couple persevered. Their marriage produced two children: David, born in 1967 and Holly, born in 1968. The couple separated after only 5 years, making Di a single parent. In 1981 the family moved to the United States with the encouragement of her younger brother, Tony Defries. Di was most happy to be a wife and mother, and while she never married again, she devoted her life to her children and their education. She was determined that her children would graduate college, and have the opportunities she had not. In 1993, she moved from Connecticut with her daughter Holly to Atlanta, GA. Her son, David, already living there, had advised them that life in the Southeast would be better for both. He was right. Even when he left the Atlanta area, Di and Holly stayed. Deidre loved many things, but most of all her children, her closest friends, her dogs, and a quiet, private life. She was for a time a member of the Dunwoody Newcomers Club, through which she met Susan Morin, who became a dear friend to Di and her family even after the two left the club. Deidre did not enjoy good health, struggling with joint pain, which limited her travel. Although she did travel extensively as a young woman, and with her children as much as possible. She enjoyed teaching her children about the world. She passed on to them her love and wonder of nature, and its infinite beauty. She supported her son's desire to attend the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and her daughter's passion for beekeeping. She was a devoted mother, and a loyal friend. She sorely missed her sister-in-law Betty Defries, and her long-time friend Linda Agar after they passed. She kept up with as many friends and family members as she could, even after she could no longer travel. Marilyn Schwartz, her brother's colleague, became a dear and lifelong friend. Her nieces and nephews, and their children were a source of joy for her. Deidre passed away on Thursday, April 11 2019 at her home in Woodstock. Her daughter was with her. She was 77 years old. She is survived by her two children David, 52 and Holly, 50. She is also survived by her siblings Nicholas Defries, 79, Anthony Defries, 75 and Tina Molli, 73 and their children and grandchildren: Carol, Graham, Jemmy, Steven, Carlo, Cristina, Fleur, Tatiana, Charlie, Daniel, Elisa, Hannah, Cameron, Lara, Ryan, and Arthur. Deidre's memorial service will be held at Poole Funeral Home on Saturday, May 11 at 11 am. Please, in lieu of flowers (which are much appreciated) please consider a donation in her honor to local charities for children, animals, or the environment, the three things Di cared about the most.