Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine (nee D’Alfonso) passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 24, 2024, in the warm embrace of her loving family. 

A resident of Ventnor City, NJ since 2020, Loretta was proud to have been born in Bristol, PA to the late Alfred and Anna D’Alfonso on February 20, 1936. She often shared fond memories from her Bristol youth about her life on Lincoln Avenue, her close-knit Italian family, her many friends, and about being a dedicated and talented member of the prestigious Bracken Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps.

Loretta was preceded in death in 2018 by the love of her life, her husband, Bill whom she met as a child when he spent his boyhood summers in Bristol visiting his grandmother. Quickly becoming close friends, they remained friends for years before a brief courtship after Bill’s honorable discharge from the United States Navy led them to marry in 1958. They spent the next 10 years living and raising their family in both Chicago, IL and Bristol, PA. In late 1968, Loretta and Bill moved to Delanco, NJ to continue joyfully raising their family and to live in love and happiness for the next 50 years. They remained inseparable for nearly 61 years.

In addition to her roles of being the greatest wife, mother, and grandmother to her family, Loretta also relished her life outside of those roles. First, as an executive secretary at Philco Corporation in Philadelphia, and later, after moving to Delanco, enjoying helping friends and neighbors for over a decade as a dental assistant to Dr. Ugo Palmonari. Ultimately, Loretta became the receptionist at local office furniture manufacturer, Stylex for over two decades where she affectionately became known as “the voice of Stylex” up until her retirement. 

Loretta’s greatest joy in life was her family, and she would often be overheard telling anyone and everyone that she encountered, “I have the greatest family in the world.” Christmas and birthday celebrations were joyous and legendary, as were family summer vacations to the Jersey shore. Limitless love for and dedication to her family is the enduring legacy that she will leave behind, and by far the greatest lesson that she taught. 

Loretta was also preceded in death by her beloved sisters and brothers-in-law, Rose and Joseph Strong, and Dolores and Charles Holderried, as well as sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Barbara and Joseph Scheno, and Barbara and William Kavalow.

Loretta’s beautiful memory will be forever carried by her daughter, Kelly Devine-Hollander (Jon) of Ventnor City, NJ, her son, William Devine (Karen) of Somers Point, NJ, her beloved granddaughters Rebecca Hollander (Michael Angelo) and Alexa Devine. She will be forever cherished by her loving and dedicated nieces Anne Holderried and Kathy Weck, her brother Samuel D’Alfonso, nephews Christopher D’Alfonso (Denise), Kenneth D'Alfonso (Michelle), Philip McKiverkin (Maureen), and Thomas, John and Michael Strong. In her 88 years on earth, Loretta touched and enriched the lives of many friends and neighbors who will miss her greatly and will undoubtedly remember her immense love and laughter.

The family would like to thank the committed care providers at Heartland Hospice for the support and kindness shown to Loretta and her family during her brief illness at home. They are truly special people.

To honor Loretta's life and in conformance with Loretta’s wishes as a practicing Catholic, a viewing will be held at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, 81 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940 on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 10:30 am, immediately followed by a Catholic Mass at 11:30 am. At 1:30 p.m. Loretta will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband at Washington Crossing National Cemetery also located in Newtown, PA. 

Throughout her life, Loretta loved children. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Shriners Children in her memory.

St Jude Children's Research Hospital Donation Link

Shriners Children Donation Link