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Mary Jane DEVALK

About

Salpointe Catholic High School Butler University

FUNERAL HOME

Bring's Broadway Chapel - Tucson

6910 East Broadway Boulevard

Tucson, Arizona

Mary DEVALK Obituary

DEVALK, Mary Jane 86, Mary Jane DeValk, age 86 of Tucson, completed a life well lived on Thursday, September 14, 2017. She was born to the late Arnold Lee Hendrickson and the late Wilma Everroad Hendrickson on February 6, 1931. Known as "Janie" to her friends, she attended Saint Agnes Academy High School, before attending Butler University in Indianapolis, IN, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. While at Butler, she met and fell in love with her lifelong partner, C. Edward DeValk, and the two were married in 1952. A quick family followed over the next seven years with the family welcoming three sons, David, Doug, and Donald by 1960. Following short stints in Speedway, IN, Bay Village, OH, Lexington, NC, and La Crescenta, CA the family moved "home" to Tucson, AZ in 1965. With the boys in school, Mary Jane undertook her professional calling in 1968 by joining the faculty at Salpointe Catholic High School. In addition to her teaching duties, in 1974 Mary Jane took on the role of Dean of Women, a job which kept her busy, managing student decorum and working with parents of students who violated school rules. In 1992, Mary Jane retired from the school she loved after 24 years of dedicated service to Salpointe, which inducted her into their Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame in 2017. During their early retirement years Ed and Mary Jane enjoyed traveling in their motor home until Ed passed away in 1999. Family and friends were always Mary Jane's passion and delight. A new chapter in life followed with one of those friends, Leonard "Len" Rother, who like Mary Jane, had lost his 1st spouse to illness. Together they forged a supportive life together for the next 14 years until Len's passing in 2015. Mary Jane is survived by her three sons and their spouses, David Neil (Kathy), Douglas Edward (Jeanne) and Donald Lee (Shirley), ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind numerous loving friends and relatives who will miss her greatly. A Rosary will be held at BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 601 E. Ft. Lowell, Tucson, AZ 85705, followed by interment at Holy Hope Cemetery. Arrangements are being provided by BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85710. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ed and Mary Jane DeValk Memorial Scholarship, 1545 E. Copper St., Tucson, Arizona 85719, or online @ www.salpointe.org/devalk.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star on Sep. 20, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary DEVALK

32 Entries

Kevin Mathieu class of 71

September 26, 2017

My thoughts and prayers are with the Devalk family. She was a genuine person and treated all of us well during our high school years.

Mariano Anguiano III

September 25, 2017

Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.

SCHS 82

Cindy Roll

September 25, 2017

My Salpointe memories would not be complete without remembering the time that I promised Mrs. Devalk that I would not wear shorts that were above my knees ever to school again. You were the cool mom at school, but at the end of the day you were still the mom that enforced the rules with respect. A dear memory that I shall never forget. Rest in peace Mrs. Devalk.

September 24, 2017

Doug, may your memories of good times with your parents get you through the loss of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love, Mary Dorgan, class of '74

Michele Brubaker

September 23, 2017

Mary Jane Devalk was an inspiration to me. Her demeanor with the students spoke of respect and encouragement. Her common sense ruled the office and her interactions with others. Her sense of humor and her laugh was so warm. Her love of sports, especially basketball, was typical Hoosier, passionate. Her encouragement and love meant a lot to me as a new administrator in the 1980s. My condolences to the Devalk sons--both your parents were such a presence in the Salpointe Community. Carry on!

September 22, 2017

David, My memories of your mom were always happy ones. So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. Debbie Hesler Friebus

Raymond Woyak

September 22, 2017

Sorry to hear of her passing, she was very important to betterment of Salpointe Catholic HS. R & S

Kathleen Finnell Kimble

September 22, 2017

Rest in peace, Mrs. DeValk. You were one of a kind! God bless you and your family.

Anissa Castaño Wojcicky

September 21, 2017

Mrs DeValk was the Dean of Women while I attended Salpointe. She was always very kind to me. May she rest in peace.
Anissa Castaño Wojcicky '87

Mary Cook DiLorenzo

September 21, 2017

I always think of Mrs. DeValk every time I attempt and succeed at speaking Spanish. She will live in our memories and in our hearts. My sincere sympathy for your loss.

Kathy Donohoe Hungate

September 21, 2017

David, Doug, and Don,
I am so sorry for your loss of your mother. She was a wonderful human being, always a voice of reason, compassion, and sanity for me. She helped bring me through the turbulent tunnel of my high school years, and I am forever grateful for her. Peace and comfort to you and your families as you mourn her.

Richard (Dick). Teschner

September 21, 2017

Jane and Ed were our long term and Motorhome friends travels many times together with our families. Both were our dearest friends where Mary Jane and I would sing duets at our many gatherings. Unfortunately Pat pasted in April this year but she would share my feelings. Best wishes to the family in your lost.

Bernadine Walters Schwing

September 20, 2017

Our paths crossed several decades ago for a season, but in that time I've never forgotten Mrs. DeValk's passion for, and dedication to, her family, Salpointe and her students. In recent years I've felt certain that she reveled in Butler's Basketball achievements each March!

It seems no time is ever the "right" time to lose a parent, but I hope you three find comfort in the memories of easier days - and, may her legacy of strengths live on through your lives and those of your children.

Linda Golson Greeley

September 20, 2017

Although she was a stern Dean of Women, Mrs. DeValk also had a wonderful sense of humor and was willing to spoof herself in the Grease adaption we did in 1979 called Slick. She played Principal McGee and I played her ditsy secretary. A heartfelt Thank You from all the "kids" who grew to be better people thanks to your influence.

Joan Niesen

September 20, 2017

Mrs. Devalk was a wonderful support to me at a difficult time in my life. Praying that the family finds comfort in the memories they recall and the love she shared.

Robert Moore

September 20, 2017

Don,
my deepest condolences to you and your family. Your Mom was the best!

September 20, 2017

I remember Mrs. DeValk as being a very kind lady.
Mike Gietl class of 84

Susan Van Slyck Jones

September 20, 2017

My most sincere feelings of regret and sadness go out to the DeValk family. Mrs. DeValk, who was a dear friend of my Mother's, became my "other" Mother while in high school. She was not only a friend, but a genuine mentor for me. I share your grief.

Trisha Stanley

September 20, 2017

I will never forget Mrs. DeValk - she was an inspiration to all who met her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Trisha Reyna Stanley

Pam Hazelton

September 20, 2017

Such a tough dean, but very fair and always acting in the best interest of the students. I know her family was left with happy and amazing memories!

Ellen Liebhaber Murphy

September 20, 2017

My prayers and thoughts are with the whole DeValk family. Mrs. DeValk was my Spanish teacher when I was a Freshman at Salpointe in 1969. She was an awesome teacher and a wonderful person.

Ric Moreno

September 20, 2017

Donnie all my thoughts and prayers are with you and your familia.

Michele Estavillo

September 20, 2017

My prayers are with your family. Mrs. Devalk was Dean of Women when I attended Salpointe and I helped in the attendance office, covering for her staff. I will always remember her words of wisdom.

September 20, 2017

I will never forget you and the support you gave me and the kids at Salpointe. I know that I and the other coaches won't forget all our fun times after home football games with you and Ed and our families. God bless, Mary Jane. RIP

Roger Walsh

September 20, 2017

I will never forget your kindness and effort when I was a lost freshman in 1978. Thank you Mrs Devalk! Good bless the DeValk family.

September 20, 2017

I have very fond memories of Mrs. DeValk,
when I attended Salpointe. I took Spanish from her and will never forget her warm smile and wonderful sense of humor. Sending love and prayers to her family. So very sorry for your loss!

Adrian Huerta Murphy '82

Diana Knickerbocker (Mott)

September 20, 2017

So sorry for your loss she was a good lady I loved working with her in the office.

Michael Ganski

September 20, 2017

May God Bless Mrs Devalk and her good family. As a classmate of Dave DeValk 71, I remember Mrs Devalk for her kindness.

September 20, 2017

Mrs. DeValk served many roles in my life, demanding and inspirational Spanish teacher, wonderful friend to my mother Dolores Sanders, outstanding Mom to my friend Don DeValk. The lessons she taught me have helped guide me through much of my life. Mrs DeValk is forever in my heart and hopefully always evident in how I treat others. May God bless her and keep her at his right hand. Mike Sanders Salpointe 1980, Principal Conejo Valley Adult Education

Nick Mansour

September 20, 2017

Sorry to hear about your loss. She and Salpointe are synonymous for me. She and your families are in my prayers.

Salpointe Catholic High School

September 20, 2017

The Salpointe Catholic High School community extends deepest sympathy to the DeValk family. You are in our prayers at this difficult time.

September 20, 2017

I'm sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort, bring comfort to the Devalk family during these difficult times.
(2 Corin.1:3,4)

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