•Devlin, Teresa M., Rochester/Chicago: Beloved daughter, sister and godmother died in a motor vehicle accident on August 4, 2014 at age 27. Predeceased by her grandparents, Hugh and Angelina Devlin and her maternal grandmother, Frances Fox, grandfather, Paul Collins, uncle, James Collins. She is survived by her father, Dr. Albert (Merry) Devlin; mother, Nancy (Tom) Baker; sister, Dr. Catharine Devlin (fiance’ Tim Palac); brother, Ryan Devlin; step-brothers, Jason (Debbie) Baker, Thomas Shultz Jr. (Amy); step-sisters, Kelly Eggleston, Holly Baker; aunt, Mary Devlin; aunt, Vicki Fox; uncle, David Fox; maternal grandfather, William Fox; one niece and goddaughter and niece, Mc-Kenna Gibbs; two nephews; beloved cat, Leo.
Her Funeral Mass was celebrated August 9 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Spencerport. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery. Donations can be made to Paws Chicago Animal Shelter, 1997 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614 and St. Gertrude Parish, 1420 West Granville Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660 in her memory.
St. John’s celebrates Teresa Devlin’s life
by Michelle A. Dick
There are subtle heroes in our community who reach out to inspire good in others and volunteer their talents to spread happiness. They are irreplaceable, and their absence leaves a mark on those around them.
On August 4, Teresa Devlin, age 27 was in a fatal car accident in Ogden en route to doing what she loved, volunteering her talents at Vacation Bible School (VBS) summer camp. She would dedicate a week out of her busy schedule each year and travel from Chicago to Spencerport to teach and have fun with children at St. John the Evangelist Church’s VBS “Drama Station.”
Devlin had become a vital part of VBS and had volunteered there each summer since 2001. She moved to Spencerport at age 5, graduated from St. John the Evangelist School in eighth grade, and then from Spencerport High School in 2004. Devlin earned a bachelor of arts degree from LaSalle University in film studies, and was studying for a master’s degree in education at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois. She was a nanny for a Chicago family until she was to finish school. Devlin’s ideal job was to work with children in film studies and film direction.
Devlin was not only active in VBS, but also St. John’s Youth Group and Folk Group. Her church involvement and work continued with youth in Chicago.
She would participate in Youth Group retreats as a teen and lead as a volunteer. You could always count on her to pull everyone together. Youth Group Volunteer Mike Burke said, “She would often help to demonstrate a point using stories and experiences from her own life.” Teens could relate to her. She would play silly games like “Duck, Duck, Goose” to bring kids together, so everyone felt included. Mike Burke said, “It was amazing how she could reach out to kids that others would pass by, not noticing they were left out.”
Cara Hall, Devlin’s friend since age 7, said, “Teresa was that person who could make you smile as soon as she entered the room, no matter what was going on around you. She was a beautiful, happy, and a goofy person.”
Mike Burke’s son, Pete Burke, grew up with Devlin, and together they attended a remarkably hot 2002 World Youth Day in Toronto with the St. John’s group. He said, “While everyone seemed to be dropping from heat exhaustion, she was busy running around bringing water bottles to others.” Putting others before herself seemed to come easy for her; however, Mike Burke said, “I think it was more a case of that is just how she lived.”
Devlin has been a source of support and strength in her community. Mike Burke concluded, “Her faith and spirituality touched so many and will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.”
