Rosemary Therese Devoy

Rosemary Thérèse "Ro" Devoy, née Walsh, 93, of the Village of Oxford, New York, passed away peacefully during the afternoon of January 26, 2025, at the home of her niece and nephew, Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hanrahan, with her family by her side. 

Visitation and the Funeral service will be held at Behe Funeral Home in Oxford, New York, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A private burial will follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Rosemary was born in Brooklyn, New York, to William A. Walsh and Mary A. Brobson, on July 14, 1931. She went to and graduated from Fontbonne Hall Academy High School in Brooklyn, New York, where she earned her high school diploma. A trailblazer, Ro chose to forsake female-dominated occupations of the time, opting for something "more interesting and fun." After fashion school, and lessons at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Ro became a patternmaker for Shelby Patterns, in New York City. She loved her job, working close to Macy's flagship store in Manhattan. Her boss called her, "Rosie the Riveter." She often saw ice skating at Rockefeller Center in the winter after work, where she took lessons from her cousin, Jimmy, and skated with work friends.

Through her good friend from Fontbonne, Marion Sinnott, Rosemary met the love of her life, her husband, Eugene. Eugene married Rosemary on September 8, 1962, at Our Lady of Angels Church in Brooklyn, New York. They had 48 years together, enjoying life, until Eugene's untimely passing on January 30, 2011, of a short, and unexpected illness, at the age of 76.

 Ro and Gene traveled the country, and the world, together. They were such avid travelers that Ro was hard-pressed to find a country they hadn't been to. Taking cruises, especially, was a highlight of their marriage. One of the last cruises they completed together was a world cruise offered by Holland America, including a route close to Antarctica. 

 Though Ro and Gene had no children of their own, they had a fur baby, their dog, Penercia. Penercia was a spirited Cocker Spaniel and beagle mix, her name was Peanuts, but she only answered to Penercia. Penercia lived until she was just shy of her 20th birthday, she was much spoiled, and much loved. In addition to Penercia, Ro collected a "Crew" from around the world, stuffed animals from every port and destination. At last count, there were over 300, including Chippy the chimp, Tobias (Toby), Ticiana the Swiss Alpine Maiden, the monkey brothers: Gerald, Alvin, and Jasper, Humperdink, the Pound Puppy, and Frankie, the talking Frankfurter.

 Ro will be remembered for her fun spirit, openness to adventure, genuine smile, and the sometimes-mischievous twinkle in her eye. In earlier years, she enjoyed bowling, photography, swimming, tennis, sketching and painting, and cooking. She loved car trips, sightseeing, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Ro was still traveling by plane at the age of 92, visiting "Pops," "Mama Val," and the Hanrahan clan in Washington State with family. Ro and Gene moved all around the country for Gene's occupation as a nuclear engineer, from Idaho to New Jersey, from California to Florida, Ro made friends wherever they lived and joined local clubs and activities with friends. In these last few years Ro enjoyed watching Captain Steubing on "The Love Boat," reruns and Anthony Bourdain on television (she called him Tony), she loved listening to music in the car as a passenger, tapping her feet to music, her favorites, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, or newer favorite, Billy Idol. Her favorite treat at nighttime was a good Klondike Krunch bar, and she had one almost every night for over two years. She never passed up a good Brandy Alexander on holidays, and she also enjoyed spoiling Percy, the family dog, who gave her companionship and added friendship.

Rosemary leaves behind a brother-in law, James C. (Kiwi M.) Devoy of Atherton, CA; a sister-in-law Kathleen A. (Alfred M.) Altamura of Getzville, NY, formerly of Norwich, NY; niece and caregivers Elizabeth A. (Christopher T.) Hanrahan of Oxford, NY, and grand-niece Theresa of Sacramento, CA; nephew John M. (Jeanine D.) of Valencia, PA, with grand-nephews Nick and Matt; and nephew and Godson Andrew C. Altamura of Getzville, NY, with grand-niece Giana. She is preceded in death by her parents, William A. and Mary A. Walsh, her younger sister Joan Ann Walsh in 2022, her beloved husband Eugene F. Devoy in 2011, friend and family member Marion A. Sinnott in 2017, nephew Jamie A. Devoy in 2019, and sister-in-law Sr. Loretta M. Devoy, O.P. in 2022.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County, Department DN, 33-39 Court Street, Norwich, NY 13815. Rosemary's family would like to extend their thanks especially to the following people for their time, friendship, and care for Ro, over the past few years: to Rhonda Webster and family; Crystle Moscato and family; Joan Kulina and St. Joseph's Parish of Oxford, NY; and the dedicated workers and nurses of Hospice of Chenango County. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.