Shirley Devaney

SWANTON - On Saturday, November 23, 2024, Shirley Joyce Devaney, age 92, was unexpectedly called at her home in Swanton to receive her heavenly rewards and reunite with her beloved husband of 43 years, Timothy Michael Devaney.

Shirley was born on July 18, 1932, in Highgate Falls, Vermont, the eldest daughter of the late Carl "Cub" and Dora (Thibault) Hemingway. She graduated from Swanton High School in 1951 and attended Burlington Business College (now known as Champlain College). She began her career as an administrative assistant to Harry Havemeyer and Kate Jennings Webb of Shelburne Farms, Vermont until her marriage in 1956. Shirley recounted those early memories with great fondness and maintained a close relationship with several of the Webb family members for decades.

Tim and Shirley grew their family and celebrated many blessings. Shirley took great pride in the art of homemaking and was a master at creating Halloween costumes, hosting birthday and holiday parties with elaborate meals and ornate cakes. Shirley was a master repurposer and recycler, always coming up with creative ideas. She was more than happy to share her time and resources to help anyone with an arts and crafts project, or mending and sewing. She put a lot of thought and care into decorating her home in anticipation of every holiday, with Christmas being especially close to her heart. Her Christmas tree, set in the bay window, was always a spectacular sight to behold.

After the passing of her beloved husband in 1999, a visit from the late Sister Joan Sirtowt inspired Shirley to begin her lifelong commitment to volunteerism. She volunteered for many years delivering Meals on Wheels, and sewing lap blankets for the senior residents at the Swanton School Apartments. She especially cherished working at the Swanton Community Food Shelf at the Church of the Nativity Parish, and with the Ladies of St. Anne, alongside her lifelong best friend, Marjorie Taylor. The family is eternally grateful to Sr. Joan Sirtowt, who recognized her deep sadness and, through her love and encouragement, gave Shirley the strength to turn her sadness into service for others. In turn, bringing comfort and nourishment to so many.

Shirley was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She always knew when to deliver a tough message, be a pillar of strength, or offer comfort, or a welcome place at the table to those who needed it. She lived a life full of creativity, generosity, laughter, warmth, and always sprinkled in a touch of mischief and spunk for good measure. Whether it was creating costumes for school plays, or lending a helping hand at school functions, Shirley made an effort to be there for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's activities. An avid New England Patriots and Boston Celtics sports fan, she could give a detailed game analysis just like a professional sportscaster. Shirley took great joy in the simple pleasures of small-town life, including time spent at her camp, surrounded by family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Kevin John Devaney and his wife Julie of Highgate Center, Brian Timothy Devaney of West Swanton, and Karen Elizabeth Devaney Allard and her husband James of Fletcher; her grandchildren, Logan and Taylor Devaney, Kalen (Devaney) and her husband Logan Kane, Aubrey Devaney and Emily Allard; and her three great-grandchildren, Owen, Conner and Aedan Kane. She is also survived by her cherished brother, Milton Hemingway, as well as her sister Linda Kelly, and brother David Hemingway, along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her sister, Norma Jean (Hemingway) Lavigne in 2021.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Shirley's life on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Ave., Swanton, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 65 Canada Street, Swanton, VT, with a luncheon reception following at the Church of the Nativity Parish Hall. The interment will follow at the Devaney family plot in St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in Shirley's memory may be made to: The Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi Food Shelf, 100 Grand Ave, Swanton, VT 05488, or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com