Groton - Kathleen Palm Devine of Noank and formerly Hartford, died peacefully Jan. 29, 2016, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her family.

She was the wife of Joseph D. Devine III, who predeceased her, and the daughter of Marjorie and Charles Palm.

Kathleen was a passionate civil servant who served as treasurer of the City of Hartford from 1998 to 2011, during which time she advocated for the city's pensioners and workers. Hers was a hallmark of clean government and accountability. Her financial acumen was acute, and she consistently fought conventional wisdom and was proved right on numerous occasions, such as insisting the city divest from Enron long before it crashed.

Before her long tenure, Kathleen served as deputy treasurer to Denise Nappier, when Nappier was city treasurer, and worked for State Treasurer Frank Borges. Before her career in finance, Kathleen was a news reporter for the United Press International in Maine, a writer for the Hartford Advocate and served for many years on the Hartford Courant's editorial board, where she was known as an outspoken champion for women and other marginalized voices.

Kathleen's personal investment in the city was legendary: she was instrumental in raising the funds for the new Artists' Collective building, she established the city's monument to victims of the 1944 circus fire, and gave countless hours of her stewardship to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center board.

She was a graduate of Manhattanville College, where she started the college's chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). It was merely the beginning of her long advocacy for justice, civic engagement, and speaking truth to power. All who were privileged to know this deep, provocative, glamorous and generous-hearted woman will forever be changed by her passion.

She leaves to mourn her incalculable loss her daughter, Caitlin Palm and her husband, Timothy Brown, of Boston; her step-daughter, Jaime McKinley and husband, Jason McKinley, of Amston; and step-son, Joseph and Tamara Devine of Marlborough. She will be forever missed by her brothers, Robert Palm of Noank and Brian Palm and his wife, Mary Stokes, of Dublin, Ireland; and sister, Christine Palm and her husband, James Baker, of Chester. Kathleen was a devoted grandmother to Theo and Eva Palm-Brown, Jackson and Connor McKinley, and Dylan, Christopher, Braeden and Calvin Devine; and she was a loving and devoted aunt who encouraged irreverence, intellectual confidence and liberal use of cursing in her nieces and nephews, Colin Baker, James Golden, Danny Golden, Alicia Palm, Michael Palm, Lucia Palm, Siena Palm, Seamus Palm Baker, Brendan Palm, and Dominic Palm. Kathleen was loved by her Odlum cousins and their many children.

She was predeceased by her brother, Barry Palm, and was beloved by Barry's wife, Barbara Cantor Palm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, at St. Patrick's Church, 32 East Main St., Mystic. There are no calling hours.

For those wishing to leave an online note or message to the family, please visit www.mysticfuneralhome.com

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

Published by The Day on Feb. 2, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Devine

Sponsored by Mystic Funeral Home.

18 Entries

Jim Chase

February 14, 2016

Robert and Family: Our sympathies are with you for your loss. I did not know Kathleen long but admired her. I was unaware of her great contributions in government and humanitarian causes till I read her obituary.
Impressed with what I read I asked Mayo to read it. Mayo believed she had talked to her many years ago and had come away from this experience thankful for the efficiency and acumen of her office.
Your loss is also one for all citizens of Connecticut.
I hope our small group in Noank has been some comfort for her
Jim and Mayo Chase

Ruthanne Sullivan

February 6, 2016

Feb 6 ,2016

My memories of Kathleen are of a wonderful caring daughter,who took exquisite care of her incredible mother, my friend Marge Palm.

She will be greatly missed.

Ruthanne Sullivan

Minister Phyllis McMeans

February 5, 2016

May God grant you peace in the passing of your loved one. I did not have the opportunity to meet her, but based on her life story , I am saddened by this great loss. Soar on great one. I am sure I will meet you in our next life.

Ellen Nurse

February 4, 2016

Kathleen was nice and loving person. She will be miss by many. May her soul rest in peace,

Denise Matthews

February 4, 2016

Kathleen was a close friend during our time at Oxford. When we were young and rebelling against most things she posed questions and aimed incisive criticism at the heart of the matter.
I particularly remember her indignation when the Oxford adminstration chose not to tell us of President Kennedy's assassination but rather have us finish out the school day "undisturbed." Kathy went to the mat on that one and demanded and got a rare apology.

I am struck by all she accomplished and her impact on the city of Hartford and her large and loving family. I am grieving with you for the loss of one amazing soul from this earthly plane. She is with us I know. Denise Matthews

Mike Furtado

February 3, 2016

When I first met Kathleen she seemed fragile and shy. I could see she had a good heart and was the champion of those she viewed as victims of an unjust world. But I never realized how powerful and dynamic she was until I read her obituary. Unfortunately and too often, we do not discover the true nature of a person until they have passed. I was reminded of a quote from George Elliot. 'The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us, and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone'. My thoughts and prayers are with Kathleen's family and fiends at this time.

Betty Szubinski

February 3, 2016

To the Family of Kathleen Palm:

It was a true pleasure to have work with Kathleen. She was a force to be reckoned with and served the City with the utmost professionalism and integrity. She will truly be missed. May God bless your family during this time of grief.

Ps. 55:22

February 2, 2016

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Kimberly Spera

February 2, 2016

On behalf of President/Chief Administrator David Eustis and the entire Northwest Catholic High School community, I offer my deepest sympathy on the passing of Kathleen Devine.

Kathleen's sister, Christine Palm 74, is a treasured member of the NWC community, so we mourn Kathleen's loss along with all who love her.

Please know that we will remember Kathleen and all her family in a special way during our daily prayers this week and also at our next school-wide Mass. We are very sorry for your loss.

~ Kimberly Spera, Director of Communications, Northwest Catholic High School

Bill Hogan

February 2, 2016

In my 20+ years with the City of Hartford, I had the good fortune to work with several highly qualified people, both in the management and political arenas, but none stands out quite like Kathleen. She had a strong grasp of the fiduciary's role and applied its principles in the day to day operations of the Treasury function and she commanded the respect of the entire municipal finance community. The City of Hartford Charter, as she often said was her Bible, and she knew its provisions intimately and successfully challenged those who attempted to usurp it. In addition to her financial skills, Kathleen was a prolific writer and would, as matter of course, edit incoming memos returning them to sender covered in red ink. After being the recipient of several of her edits, I finally surrendered, explaining I was a mere product of the Hartford School system! She balanced a strong work ethic with a keen wit and rollicking story telling often sprinkled with a few expletives. She was so proud of her capital city of Hartford and that was reflected through her support of many of its non-profit organizations and on a political level was rewarded in kind by its electorate returning her successfully to office from 1998-2011.
Public officials on all levels of government that are charged with fiduciary responsibilities would be well served to learn from Kathleen's legacy.
Bill Hogan
West Hartford

Patricia Millet

February 2, 2016

kathleen was a loving and treasured friend. Her honesty and empathy for all will not be forgotten Sing with the Angels. Patty Miller.

David Nauss

February 2, 2016

With heartfelt sorry, I wish to convey my sincere sympathy to Kathleen's family for their loss and to express my appreciation for the valued banking/business relationship I experienced with Kathleen. She was a personified executive who consistently strived to achieve the best financial value for the citizens of Hartford and Connecticut.

David Nauss, Past President of The Connecticut Bankers Association

Kathleen socha

February 2, 2016

I'm a better person to have held the company of Kathleen. We spent time in her backyard garden where the orange rose's grew sharing stories of life and the love of our grandchildren. Peace to her beautiful family. ..Kathleen Socha

Bernie Sullivan. , Chief of Police Htfd.Ret.

February 2, 2016

I first met Kathleen when she was with the Courant.Later she became city Treasurer.She was an indefatigable individual with a zealousness for the City and people she loved.May she rest in a well deserved peace!

February 2, 2016

From one City Employee to another, Kathy it was a pleasure knowing you and working with you.The City will miss you, Thoughts & prayers go out to your family.

Joan Kelley-Davey
H.F.D.- F.M.O. - Retired

Nancy Gaudet McLean

February 2, 2016

My deepest and sincerest sympathy to Kathleen's family. She was a dedicated employee of the City of Hartford. She was a wonderful woman, fun to be with and she cared about people. She will be greatly missed.

Ps. 55:22

February 2, 2016

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

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