Catherine DEVLIN

DEVLIN, Catherine "Kathleen"
(nee Donnelly)
Kathleen Mary Theresa Devlin passed peacefully July 27, 2016.
Kathleen was born May 24, 1925 in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland. She proudly spoke her own Irish language (Gaelic). Shortly after their marriage, she arrived in Canada on St. Patrick's Day, 1964 with her husband Arthur Devlin (also born in County Tyrone, immigrating with his family to farm in St. Bride's, Alberta when he was 10 years old).
Kathleen volunteered at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and for over 40 years in Pastoral Care at the General and Grey Nuns Hospitals in Edmonton. A member of the Auxiliary at the General Hospital, Kathleen worked switchboard there for many years. As one of the founding parishioners of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Millwoods, she was a long standing member of the Legion of Mary in Ireland and Edmonton, the Catholic Women's League and served as Minister of the Eucharist. She and Art put their faith into practice by helping to support many in their journey to become priests and contributed to Catholic Social Services and The Sign of Hope Campaign from its inception by Monsignor Bill Irwin. Kathleen participated in the Christopher Leadership Course, The Live-In and volunteered with the Good Samaritan Society. Many wonderful times were shared at the Irish Sports and Social Society. Art and she delivered Meals on Wheels receiving their 10 year pins in 1982. They made significant contributions to Catholic Missions in Canada, St. Joseph's Seminary and their churches in Edmonton.
Kathleen was well known for her gift as a poet participating in writing classes at the Society for the Retired and Semi-retired (now SAGE) and Strathcona Place Senior Centre. In appreciation and recognition of their good works, Father Bill mounted a bronze plaque with one of her poems in CSS 99th Street building. She said writing helped her cope with the distance from her family and beloved Old Sod (Ireland).
Prayers will be held Friday, August 5, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, 7508 – 29 Avenue, Edmonton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the same location on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
Donations in memory of Kathleen may be made to CSS, Monsignor Bill Irwin Memorial Fund or to St. Joseph's Seminary.
Kathleen was predeceased by her husband Art and brothers Vincent and James "Jim" Donnelly in Ireland. In her own words:
"Life goes by so very fast. What joy for me recalling the past.
Time is catching up. We know this world will not last.
The Faithful will go to Heaven. God will open the door
In Peace to a better place, where partings are...no more. Amen"
To send condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com