Ellen Devine

Ellen Devine (Birmingham), age 92, passed in her sleep May 3, 2022, in Little River, SC. Ellen lived for over 35 years in Hartford, CT. She moved to Granby, CT in 2006 following a stroke and to Little River, SC in 2017. Ellen was born on March 2nd, 1930, in Cloonfad, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, to Edward Birmingham and Catherine Mullarkey, the fourth child in a family that would grow to 13 children. Ellen came to the United States in 1947 at the age of 17. She worked at Connecticut General, visiting Ireland most every year, until her marriage. Ellen met John “Jackie” Devine at a dance at the Irish American Home in Hartford. They were married in 1952 at Saint Augustin’s in Hartford. Ellen and Jack settled in the West End of Hartford where they raised their five children. Two of Ellen’s sisters also emigrated to the Hartford area. Three more sisters settled in the US and visited Hartford often. Ellen worked at Hartford Hospital for many years, first as an aid, then as an LPN upon graduation from their program. She retired in 1995 having made many lifelong friends. To her children and she was the heart and strength of a wonderful family. Ellen met the challenges of her strokes as she had all the losses and challenges of her life, by putting one foot in front of the other, though ultimately metaphorically. She greeted each day with an amazing smile and without complaint. Ellen was a long-time communicant of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Hartford, a member of the Ladies of La Salette, a member of the Irish American Home in Glastonbury, and a member of the Parkville Community Senior Center in Hartford. Ellen is survived by her son Timothy Devine of Naugutuck CT, and his children Eamon and Angela Devine, her son Michael Devine of Shelton CT., and her housemates, son John Devine and Suzanne Akerley of SC. She also leaves behind her granddaughters Emily Devine with her husband Jym, Chelsea Pas with husband Chris, Leah Ward with husband David and their munchkins Beatrice and Scarlett Ward, her great-grandchildren. Ellen is survived by three brothers, Seamus, and Eddie, of Roscommon, Ireland, and Owen of London, England. She leaves four sisters, Sr. Hannah Birmingham and Sr. Philomena Birmingham of San Antonio, Tx., Teresa Laffey and Mary Prattle of England. Ellen leaves many nieces and nephews across the United States, Ireland, and England. Ellen leaves many cousins and friends (hi Elvia!) in the greater Hartford area. Along with her parents, Ellen was predeceased by her husband Jack, their daughter Mary Pat, son Edward, grandson Liam and daughter in law Debbie Kahl. Ellen was also predeceased by her sisters Catherine Rush of Ireland, Bridie Conway of West Hartford, and within the last year, Margaret Birmingham of West Hartford and San Antonio, Carmel Flanigan of Hampton Bays NY, and her brother Thomas in Ireland. It hasn’t been a good year for the children of Cloonfad. There will be a mass celebrated 10 am, Saturday, May 28th, 2022, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 79 New Park Avenue, Hartford. People are asked to assemble at the Church before the service. Burial will follow in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield CT. Molloy Funeral Home of West Hartford is handling arrangements.