Marion L. DeVoe - Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Homes & Crematory

Marion L. DeVoe

September 16, 1921 - July 7, 2015

Marion Louise DeVoe, of Newark, DE, formerly of Wynantskill, Buffalo, Owasco, St Regis Falls, NY, and Camden, DE, went to be with the Lord on July 7, 2015, two months shy of her 94th birthday while under the loving care of her daughters in Newark, DE.

Born the 2nd of 6 children to the late Samuel Stewart and Sarah McFetters, she graduated from Troy HS in 1939 with high honors, including the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal, and went to work as a secretary for Ludlow Valve in Troy, NY. She enlisted in the Women’s Army Corps in 1944, and rose to the rank of Corporal as a stenographer on General (later President) Eisenhower’s stateside staff, before her honorable discharge in 1945. She married then-Lt. Charles E. DeVoe of the Buffalo Police Department in Troy, NY, on October 26, 1946, with whom she fell in love while both were serving in the Army “ a forbidden romance as she was enlisted and he was an officer. Upon relocating to Buffalo, she raised 4 daughters, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader at the Church of the Transfiguration (Episcopal) in North Buffalo while working as a Buffalo PD crossing guard, and later became secretary for George Wallace Realty in Kenmore, NY. She was very involved with the Parent Teacher Association throughout the years of her daughters’ primary and secondary education, serving as an officer on many occasions.

At the age of 53, while shingling the roof of the new garage in a snowstorm with her retired husband, she decided to return to school and went to Cayuga County Community College in Auburn, NY, graduated in the top 10 of her class, and became a New York State Registered Nurse.  After she retired from Auburn Memorial Hospital, she spent many summers in the Adirondack Mountains with her grandchildren, teaching them to swim in the St. Regis River, and most other seasons touring with her husband in their camper, square dancing their way through every state (except Hawaii) and most Canadian provinces.

In addition to her parents, Marion was preceded in death by her beloved husband in 2003; her oldest daughter, Lynne Wilson in 1995; and 4 siblings.  She is survived by one younger sister, Dorothy Girard of Wynantskill, NY, 3 daughters, Christine E. DeVoe, of Newark, Janice L. Colvin of Henderson, NC and Melody G. Devoe of Newark; 5 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 4 sons-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday morning, July 25, 2015 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 210 Old North Road, Camden, DE.  She will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in Washington DC, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to local chapters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the March of Dimes or your favorite charity.

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10 Condolences for Marion L. DeVoe

  • Melody sending condolences your way. Praying for you at this time of loss.

  • MELODY JANICE AND CHRISTINE so sorry to read about your mom I aways love her and enjoyed the fun times we all had at Lake Meacham really miss her and seeing everybody you are all in my prayer love to you all and miss you all Joan Cook Grace ([email protected] )

  • Please accept my condolences on Marion’s passing. My mom and dad were best of friends with Marion and Chuck.

  • Mike, thank you very much for your kind words. As you know, her battle with Alzheimer’s was long and arduous. She’s in a better place now and our hearts are sad but relieved she is at peace. Melody

  • Dear Joanie,
    I’m sorry you had to find out about our Mom’s death via the newspaper. I tried to reach your old aol account, then tried Lisa’s, but both were undeliverable. You know from our childhood that I’m a lousy correspondent, but I think of both of you and your parents often and hope you’re all okay. Let’s try to revive this distant friendship. I too recall those days at Meacham when we all were together. Missing you too. Melody ([email protected])

  • Dear Richie (as I’ll always think of you. Sorry, blame your mom). Thank you for your kind words. Please also accept our belated condolences on the loss of your Mother. Mom was very upset that she was not able to come to the funeral of her best friend. But I believe she, our Dad, and your folks are together again. God bless you and yours. Melody DeVoe, Esq. ([email protected])

  • Janice, Melody & Chris, I am sorry to hear of your mother’s death. Through the years, I have thought of her often. May you find peace and comfort in her memories. Lynda (Book) Caster

  • Sorry to hear of Aunt Marion’s passing. I remember when her and Uncle Sunny visited me in California we had a great time. I miss her wonderful Christmas greetings.I always looked forward to them.

  • Dear Chris, Janice and Melody,
    It has been many years since we have been in contact, but I remember well the years growing up across the street on Newport Avenue. Your Mom and Dad were an integral part of our neighborhood. I remember the beautiful ice rinks your Dad constructed every winter, and I loved skating there. I remember that your Mom saved me from a would be predator when I was out shoveling late one night. The Christmas Caroling that we did on Christmas Eve and the many antics of growing up from the “Newport Gang”. I am so sorry to hear of Lynne’s and your Dad’s passing. I have often wondered whatever happened to you all. God Bless you and give you comfort. Marilyn Kobza (Manuel)

  • Linda and John, Thank you for your condolenes on the deat of our Mom and your aunt. We miss her a lot but we all know that she is at peace. Her last five or six yearss were very rough and when the Lord finally took her home we were both sad and glad at the same time. I hope you are doing well. I’m back livingin Indiana and getting to see some of my grands a lot.Hope you will stay in touch. [email protected]