Althea K. McDevitt

Althea Keavitt McDevitt (1924-2021).  On November 27, Althea “Petey” McDevitt passed away surrounded by her family.  Althea was born Althea Keavitt to Lester and Nettie Keavitt (nee MacNeil) in Pasaic, New Jersey.  As gregarious and kind as she was beautiful, Althea was a proud graduate of Pasaic High School and Montclair State University.  Althea married her high school sweetheart, Edward “Ed” McDevitt, and besides an interlude for Ed’s overseas service during WWII, they remained inseparable until his 2010 passing.

A charming trailblazer, Althea enjoyed a lengthy public service career with the Pasaic city government, while also raising her four daughters (Daune, Leslie, Barbara, and Marybeth).  Instilling the importance of service in her children, her daughters have carried on her torch: Daune became a public interest attorney, Leslie a school director, Barbara a pediatrician, and Marybeth a foreign service officer. Althea was immensely proud of her four daughters, and rarely missed an opportunity to share their accomplishments with others.

Althea semi-retired with Ed to Beach Haven, New Jersey, where they equally enjoyed winter solitude, summer craziness, and the constant company of one another, their children, and their grandchildren.  Althea is survived by her four daughters: Daune McDevitt, Leslie Lewis and her husband James, Barbara McDevitt, Marybeth McDevitt and her husband Joseph Romano; her grandchildren: Sean Lewis, Abigail Lewis, Justin Contratto, Jordan Contratto, Travis Contratto, and Christina Romano and a brood of great-grandchildren growing seemingly by the day.

Althea McDevitt was a pillar in her community and her family.  Relied on by so many for so long, the loss of her twinkling hazel eyes, easy smile, and gentle (though persistent) manner will be irreplaceable.  Petey has left us to rejoin Ed, who was always waiting for her. 

The wake will be held on November 29, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home. 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, and the funeral service will be held at The Community of Saint Helen’s Catholic Church in Westfield, New Jersey at 10:00 a.m on November 30.

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