Obituary for Martha McDevitt
LITCHFIELD - Martha Murphy McDevitt, 83, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 surrounded by her loving children.
Martha was born November 15, 1937, in Rutland, VT., the daughter of the late Eva Charlebois Murphy and Philip Murphy. Martha’s career was diverse: a nurse, administrative assistant, and gardener, but her most significant roles were as wife and mother to her seven children.
Martha was crafty in all things. The original “Martha” could just as easily whip up a Halloween costume from items in the basement to hosting elaborate dinner parties and baking the perfect apple pie. Her love of flowers and green thumb came in handy with her work at nurseries, local farms, and visual displays at St. Anthony’s as she volunteered on the flowers committee.
After graduating from St. Catherine’s School of Nursing, Albany, New York, Martha made her way to Hartford, CT where she worked at Mount Sinai Hospital. Martha and Joe began their married life and eventually settled in Litchfield. For 55 plus years, Martha dedicated her time giving back to her community. Martha and Joe volunteered hand-in-hand and instilled the value of service to their children. Her civic services ranged from the Litchfield Aid of CJR to the Litchfield Board of Education, Democratic Town Committee, Litchfield Junior Women’s Club, Sandy Beach Commission and Registrar of Voters. She was a Girl Scout leader and a Board of Directors member. She was devoted to St. Anthony’s Parish; volunteered as a CCD teacher, pre cana instructor and Eucharisitc minister. Martha’s loyalty and endless support resulted in receiving the Catholic Volunteer Award as well as the recipient of the DAR Community Service Award along with several other local recognitions.
Martha was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph McDevitt Sr and her sister Mary Chaisson. Martha leaves five daughters: Kelly of Boulder, CO.; Colleen and her husband, Stanley Scott, of Tahoe City, CA.; Mary of Litchfield, CT.; Kerry of New Preston, CT.; Shannon and her husband, Robert Gollow, of Litchfield, CT.; and her sons, Joseph Jr. and partner Oliver Graves of San Francisco, CA. and Matthew and wife, Jamie, of Bantam, CT. She also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren, Murphy, Reilly, Jack, Emma, and Lily. In addition, she leaves a sister Elizabeth Sabella of Ridgefield, CT. and brother Philip Murphy and his wife Sally of Canton, GA., as well as three sister-in-laws, MaryAnn Creed, Katherine Barrett, Sister Margaret McDevitt and one brother-in-law, Matthew McDevitt all of Rutland, VT.
Martha’s family would like to thank the many caregivers as well as Brandywine, Sharon Health Care Center, Valerie Manor, and Athena Hospice for the care and comfort extended to Martha and her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South St., Litchfield. Burial immediately following the mass at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Thurston Rowe Funeral home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Litchfield Social Services Board, P.O. Box 12, Bantam, CT 06750 as well as Alzheimer's Association at www.act.alz.org.
Please respect each other's beliefs and boundaries regarding mask wearing and social distancing.
Martha was born November 15, 1937, in Rutland, VT., the daughter of the late Eva Charlebois Murphy and Philip Murphy. Martha’s career was diverse: a nurse, administrative assistant, and gardener, but her most significant roles were as wife and mother to her seven children.
Martha was crafty in all things. The original “Martha” could just as easily whip up a Halloween costume from items in the basement to hosting elaborate dinner parties and baking the perfect apple pie. Her love of flowers and green thumb came in handy with her work at nurseries, local farms, and visual displays at St. Anthony’s as she volunteered on the flowers committee.
After graduating from St. Catherine’s School of Nursing, Albany, New York, Martha made her way to Hartford, CT where she worked at Mount Sinai Hospital. Martha and Joe began their married life and eventually settled in Litchfield. For 55 plus years, Martha dedicated her time giving back to her community. Martha and Joe volunteered hand-in-hand and instilled the value of service to their children. Her civic services ranged from the Litchfield Aid of CJR to the Litchfield Board of Education, Democratic Town Committee, Litchfield Junior Women’s Club, Sandy Beach Commission and Registrar of Voters. She was a Girl Scout leader and a Board of Directors member. She was devoted to St. Anthony’s Parish; volunteered as a CCD teacher, pre cana instructor and Eucharisitc minister. Martha’s loyalty and endless support resulted in receiving the Catholic Volunteer Award as well as the recipient of the DAR Community Service Award along with several other local recognitions.
Martha was predeceased by her loving husband, Joseph McDevitt Sr and her sister Mary Chaisson. Martha leaves five daughters: Kelly of Boulder, CO.; Colleen and her husband, Stanley Scott, of Tahoe City, CA.; Mary of Litchfield, CT.; Kerry of New Preston, CT.; Shannon and her husband, Robert Gollow, of Litchfield, CT.; and her sons, Joseph Jr. and partner Oliver Graves of San Francisco, CA. and Matthew and wife, Jamie, of Bantam, CT. She also leaves behind five beloved grandchildren, Murphy, Reilly, Jack, Emma, and Lily. In addition, she leaves a sister Elizabeth Sabella of Ridgefield, CT. and brother Philip Murphy and his wife Sally of Canton, GA., as well as three sister-in-laws, MaryAnn Creed, Katherine Barrett, Sister Margaret McDevitt and one brother-in-law, Matthew McDevitt all of Rutland, VT.
Martha’s family would like to thank the many caregivers as well as Brandywine, Sharon Health Care Center, Valerie Manor, and Athena Hospice for the care and comfort extended to Martha and her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2021, at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 49 South St., Litchfield. Burial immediately following the mass at St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Thurston Rowe Funeral home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Litchfield Social Services Board, P.O. Box 12, Bantam, CT 06750 as well as Alzheimer's Association at www.act.alz.org.
Please respect each other's beliefs and boundaries regarding mask wearing and social distancing.