Alice Ryan Devine of East Norwalk, CT died peacefully with her loving family by her side on June 4, 2016. She was the wife of the late Maurice “Moe” Edward Devine with whom she shared 34 years of marriage. Born in Stamford on June 8, 1930, Alice was the daughter of the late William and Rose Tooher Ryan and the youngest of their six children. She was raised in Stamford and graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. Alice earned an undergraduate degree in History and English from the University of Connecticut in 1951. She also earned a Masters Degree in Education and Counseling. Alice was a teacher and guidance counselor for many years in the Stamford Public School System imparting her wisdom and knowledge on the students of the Burdick Junior High School. Alice always looked back with great fondness on her time in the Stamford Public Schools and remembers many of her former students especially young Joseph Leiberman.
Alice spent the past 50 years living in East Norwalk where her passion as a teacher and guidance counselor carried forth in raising her three children. She was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and an ardent supporter of Catholic education. She has been a member of Shorehaven Golf Club in East Norwalk since 1956 and cherished her time there and the lifelong memories it provided her with family and friends. Alice loved to play golf with her husband Moe, children and friends. Over her 60 years of membership, she won the Husband Wife and the Queen Bee golf tournaments. Alice also made a hole in one on the 15th hole in 1994. She was an avid and adept bridge player. Alice and Moe owned a second home at the base of Glen Ellen in Fayston, VT for thirty years where they spent many wonderful years skiing as a family.
Alice never stopped teaching and providing guidance. Her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, in laws, extended family and friends were blessed to have the open and compassionate mind of Alice on their side. She was never one to judge and saw the good in all she met. Her wisdom, common sense and joy for a life well lived will be dearly missed by the many who had the honor of knowing her.
Alice is survived by her children, Michael and Catherine Prager Devine of Westport, CT, Richard and Susan McCarthy Devine of Norwalk, CT and Michael and Maura Devine McShane of Beverly, MA, and her grandchildren Jacqueline Devine, Cole Devine, Allison Devine, Brendan Devine, Michael McShane and Ryan McShane. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband Maurice, Alice was predeceased by her brothers Vincent, William and Dr. John Ryan, her sisters Rita Iacovo and Rosemary Magner.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 8th at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 203 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM on Tuesday, June 7th at the Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Memorial contributions may be made to the Maurice and Alice Devine Memorial Scholarship for Catholic Education c/o All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Road, Norwalk, CT 06851.