Devon Lee Bishop

Devon Lee Bishop, beloved daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bishop, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2010, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

Devon was born Aug. 16, 1966, in Altoona. She moved with her parents and brother to Harding at age 1. Recently, she had resided in Swoyersville.

She attended Wyoming Area schools and Wyoming Seminary, where she was active in musical and theatrical productions. Devon was a member of a musical family and began performing as a child with her mother and brother. At age 14, she appeared with her mother and uncle in a production of "South Pacific" at Enchanted Hills Playhouse, Syracuse, Ind. She was a member of the Music Box Players and appeared in many productions. She also played "Yenta" in the Jewish Communities Center's production of "Fiddler on the Roof."

In addition to music and theatre, Devon loved NASCAR racing and the Philadelphia Eagles. She played in several pool leagues and had been a part of a bowling team. She loved animals and had been office manager at Shoemaker Animal Hospital, West Wyoming, for more than 18 years.

Devon was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Danie Mark Bishop, who died suddenly April 14, 2010; her paternal grandparents, D.C. and Camilla Bishop, Harding; and maternal grandparents, Robert and Daisy Leverett, Manteno, Ill; and two cousins, Laurie Jones, Nashville, Tenn., and James Edward Leverett, Manteno, Ill.

Devon is survived by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bishop, and a sister-in-law, Theresa Bishop, Harding. Also surviving are aunts and uncles, Richard and Nancy Bishop, Amity; Ken and Wanda Bishop, Hamilton Square, N.J.; Hub and Patty Leverett, Maryville, Ill.; Coleen Brady, Maryville, Ill.; and T. Doyle Leverett and John McDermott, Tobyhanna. She was also blessed with numerous loving cousins.

Devon was beautiful — but never thought she was. She was strong and independent — INDEPENDENT! Devon was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return — especially by her parents and her brother, who always will be her hero. In true Bishop fashion, she adored animals, and leaves behind two "fur-kids," Korlina and Munchie.

But most of all, Devon was brave. She had many problems in her life, but always found the strength to pick herself up and start again. There are no words to describe the courage and grace with which she faced her terrible illness.

Devon was baptized and became a member of Harding Church of Christ at the age of 9. All of us who love her are comforted by the thought that she is safely home, free of pain and illness and reunited with her beloved brother.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Music Box Players, Music Box Playhouse, Swoyersville, PA 18704.

The funeral will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Howell-Lussi Funeral Home, 509 Wyoming Ave., West Pittston. Dr. Bob Shaw will officiate. Interment will be in Mount Zion Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday, 5 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.