Phyllis (Moran) McDevitt
11/22/2020

Funeral Mass Live Stream


Phyllis McDevitt

Our Earth Angel

Phyllis (Moran) McDevitt loved a good Irish waltz with her husband Pat, and the two were always the last couple to leave the dance floor. Phyllis was born on the family farm in Sylane -Tuam, County Galway, the eldest daughter of John and Delia Moran. Always adventurous, Phyllis embodied the “American Dream.” Hers began when she arrived in Boston in 1959, a beautiful young girl just 19 years old, for a few weeks visit. Phyllis was quickly embraced by the Irish community in Boston and spent many weekends attending Irish dances and watching football matches. One Sunday afternoon changed her life forever, when she went to a GAA football game at Dilboy Stadium and first met the dashing center forward for the Galway team, Patrick McDevitt, a young college student from Glenswilly, Co. Donegal. Phyllis married Pat on May 1, 1965 at St. Columbkille’s Church in Brighton and they lived a life together filled with love, affection and dancing for the next fifty-five years. Pat and Phyllis worked side-by-side for many decades as they managed a successful real estate business together. Phyllis’ “short trip” to Boston extended for several years, when she and Pat returned to Ireland for the first time to introduce their daughter, Joanne, to family back home. Joanne would soon have an Irish-twin brother, Brian, who was followed a few years later by John James (Jamie). Over the years, Phyllis and Pat returned to visit family in Ireland regularly and also traveled across the United States and around the world with their children and later their grandchildren accompanying them on unforgettable journeys that often included Pat’s bridge tournaments.

Phyllis was an angel among us. She had the gift of infectious joy, with her bright Irish eyes always smiling, and her lilting Galway brogue that she proudly kept. Phyllis loved her family most of all and always enjoyed treating them to a meal or a shopping excursion. Whether it be with her many friends or her family whom she loved, Phyllis would brighten the days ofeveryone she spent time with. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Patrick McDevitt, and her daughter, Joanne Burke and her husband Timothy Burke and their children Katherine Kelly and DanielPatrick of Boston; and her son, Jamie McDevitt and his wife Natasha McDevitt and their son Ari Patrick of Boston. Phyllis was predeceased by her son Brian and her brothers Christie and Larry. Phyllis is the dear sister of Josie Moloney of Loughrea, Co. Galway and her sister Mary Geraghty of Canton. Phyllis is survived by many loving nieces and nephews in Ireland.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visit with the family in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, 28 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill at noon. Interment Mount Benedict Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Phyllis may be made to the Irish Cultural Center, 200 New Boston Drive, Canton, Ma 02021. For directions and guestbook, please visit: gormleyfuneral.com

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Gormley Funeral Service
2055 Centre Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132
617-323-8600