Marguerite Devor

Marguerite Devor

One of God’s Quiet Angels

Sept. 20, 1922  — March 20, 2008

MONTROSE — Our beloved Marguerite Devor, long-time Montrose resident, peacefully passed away on March 20, 2008 at Carla’s Care Center at Vista View in Montrose with her husband of almost 62-years, George Devor, beside her. She had been challenged with Parkinson’s disease for several years.

The youngest of nine children, Marguerite Gertrude McWilliams Devor was born on Sept. 20, 1922, to Raymond and Minnie McWilliams on her parents’ homestead near Towner, Colo. She attended various schools while living on the plains of Colorado; two of her most memorable teachers were her sisters, Ormal and Jania. She was raised in a home bubbling over with love, kindness, generosity, respect for others, humor, resiliency, thrift and hard work.  She graduated from Holly High School in 1939 and received a Teaching Certificate for Elementary Education from Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, where she and George were introduced to each other by George’s sister Iva. Marguerite also attended Western State College in Gunnison and was a school teacher for several years in the 1940s.

On June 2, 1946, she was united in marriage to George Wendell Devor in Pueblo, Colo. They moved to Montrose for George’s employment at the First National Bank of Montrose in 1948 and have lived in the Montrose community since that time.

Marguerite will be dearly missed by her husband; her son, Phillip (“Phil”) Eugene Devor and his wife Margaret of Markham, Ontario, Canada; her son, Dennis Ray Devor and his wife Kathy of Montrose; and her daughter, Joyce (“Joy”) Evelyn Duffy and her husband John of Sacramento, Calif. Her five grandchildren, Thomas (“Tom”) LeFevre and Truman, Teresa, Matthew and Laura Devor, will forever hold memories of being fed by, playing games with, and being read to by their sweet Grandma. Marguerite will also be held in the hearts of her many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her eight brothers and sisters: Jania Hofmeister, Ormal Humburg, Wayne McWilliams, Warren McWilliams, Emer Koncilia, Vincil McWilliams, Clestine (“Chrisy”) Stroup, and Carl McWilliams.

Marguerite was a very caring person, and she worked hard to serve the many priorities she had in her life: God, family, friends, church, community and the world beyond Montrose. She worked for many years as a social worker for Montrose County Social Services. She was a member of, as well as served in many leadership capacities in, the United Methodist Women, Kappa Phi, and the American Association of University Women. She was instrumental in making the Holiday Bazaar at the United Methodist Church a success for many years.

She freely gave of her time as a cub scout leader, 4-H leader, church school teacher and superintendent, church camp counselor, block mother for the March of Dimes and other important volunteer causes. You might have worked with Marguerite when she helped the Lions Club with their various projects or helped decorate tables for the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner. Many a family in Montrose have been recipients of a dinner at the Devors’ home or a cake, casserole or flowers from Marguerite when they were new to Montrose or when someone in their family was sick. She was a jewel to her family, friends and neighbors and yet was very humble in all circumstances.

Marguerite’s immediate family held a private service for her on March 27. They would like to invite you to a memorial service officiated by Dick Baker and a luncheon to celebrate her life on Saturday, June 14, 2008, at 11 a.m. at the Montrose United Methodist Church, at the corner of South First Street and South Park Avenue. Cremation services were provided by Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests a donation in Marguerite’s memory to the United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 19 South Park Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401 or your favorite charity.