Rita Devan

Rita Waldron Devan, age 98, the last member of the immediate James Waldron family, passed away peacefully at Holbrook Adult Home on Friday, December 6, surrounded by her loving family.
Rita Waldron Devan was born in Saranac Lake, on January 19, 1926, the daughter of James and Elizabeth Buckley Waldron. She grew up in the hamlet of Clayburg, New York, where her parents operated Betty's Hotel and Tea Room. Her early education was at a one-room school house which was located within striking distance of her home. Following her elementary education, she attended Sallaz Academy, graduating high school in 1941. Her business education was at Loretta Business Institute in Plattsburgh.
Rita worked for five years as a private secretary for the Director of Nurse Education department at SUNY Plattsburgh. After her move to Willsboro, she was employed at the Department of Social Services in Essex County; as office manager for the Calgar Corporation Mining Company; and at the Willsboro branch of the Essex County Champlain National Bank as head bookkeeper for eight years.
On June 26, 1948, she married Gerald Devan at the Assumption of Mary Church in Redford. The nuptial Mass was concelebrated by Gerry's brothers, Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis P. Devan and Msgr. Clarence M. Devan and also by Rev. Joseph Doyle, Rev. Herbert Hannan, Msgr. William Brennan and Rev. Euclid Elie.
Rita's strong faith was a huge part of her life. She was a communicant of St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro, and could be called upon to help out in endless ways, including making liturgical vestments and banners for the church; serving as lector, Eucharistic Minister, parish council member, teacher of religious education, and member of the choir and the Altar Rosary Society.
She joined her local Court St. Joan of Arc of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas in 1949, and continued serving the CD of A in several capacities. In addition to serving in various offices in her local Catholic Daughter court, she served as District Deputy and as a member of the NYS CDA board for twelve years. She was honored to have served for many years on the Bishop's Fund Committee and the Diocesan Pastoral Council. One of her most cherished moments was the honor of meeting Mother Theresa. In recognition of her years of distinguished service to the church, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1995, the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Pope.
Having a myriad of interests, Rita was a member of the Willsboro Beautification Committee, the William Gilliland Garden Club, and the Essex County Extension Service. In her later years, her favorite pastimes were reading; playing the organ; completing the New York Times crossword puzzle and playing bridge. She was the director of the Willsboro Bridge Club and the Lake Worth Bridge Club in Florida, where she and Gerry spent 14 winters.
With encouragement from her children, Rita authored a book at the age of 87 about her life growing up, called Waiting for Jo. It told the story of her mother losing her husband and raising five children (ages 1-9) alone in the 1930's.
Rita showed her love for her family by preparing delicious meals – no one ever left her house with an empty stomach or without a special treat to take home. She used her expertise on the sewing machine to make both her daughters' wedding gowns, and later, as the grandchildren arrived – a baptismal gown and First Communion dress, which are being passed down through the generations.
Rita was predeceased by her parents, her two brothers and their wives – Donald and Rachel Waldron, George and Alicia Waldron and her sisters and their husbands – Helen and John Coffey and Mary and Leo Bourey, and her beloved husband Gerry of almost 60 years.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses – Cathy and Doug Cushing of Leesburg, FL; Robert and Bonnie Devan of Owego, NY; and Maureen and Terry Barber of Fort Ann, NY. She also leaves several grandchildren and their spouses: Karen and Matt Stark; Kimberly and Greg Seigfred; Kevin and Shelby Cushing; Megan and Doug Perry; Michael and Kim Devan; Matthew and Caitie Devan; Melissa Barber, Colleen and Michael Hursh; Patrick Barber; several great grandchildren and special nieces and nephews.
Rita's family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Holbrook Adult Home where Rita spent the last three years of her life. Their kind and compassionate care was everything we could have hoped for.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Philip of Jesus Church in Willsboro with the Rev. Alan Shnob, celebrant. Burial will be held in the spring in the parish cemetery.
Donations in Rita's memory may be made to St. Philip of Jesus Church, PO Box 607, Willsboro, NY 12996 or Holbrook Adult Home, 73 North Street, Granville, NY, 12832.
Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 518-643-9055.