Obituary of Leah Josita Devlin

It is with sadness that the family announces the passing of Leah J. Devlin on August 14, 2024 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick after a short battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late John Thompson Kell and Catherine Beaton of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, born in Antigonish on May 19, 1937. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, John Devlin, her daughter Mary Ellen (Ted) Reeler of Ottawa, sons Jack (Karen) of Kamloops, BC, Bruce (Kaye) of Belleisle Creek, and daughter in law Jane (Paul) of Ottawa. She is survived also by 9 grandchildren; Clare (Reeler, Paul) Grant of Ottawa, Ed Reeler of Stockholm, Anne (Reeler, Anthony) Churko of Vancouver, and Luke (Kailyn) Reeler of Ottawa; Beatrice Devlin of Fredericton; Anna, Keegan, Ronan and Sarah Devlin of Ottawa, and by ten great grandchildren. She is survived also by brother Regis Kell of Antigonish and as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Paul (Jane), parents, sisters Anne Marie (Bill) of Jacksonville Florida, Mary Margaret (Don) Armstrong and Agnes (Bob) Napier of Halifax, brothers John (Cathy) Kell of Niagara Falls and brother Neil (Diane) Kell of Antigonish.

Leah was a graduate of Mount Saint Bernard Academy in Antigonish in Secretarial Arts. She worked with the Nova Scotia Credit Union League until her marriage on September 13, 1958. She then became a full time homemaker and mother, as she and John lived in Hillsborough, New Brunswick; Farnams, Massachusetts; Framingham Massachusetts; and Fredericton, New Brunswick. She sometimes joked that they had a child born in each of these places, so decided to stop moving, and there were no more babies! This is a small example of her keen sense of humour.

Leah also had an excellent singing talent, and sang in many choirs throughout her lifetime. One highlight occurred in 1977 when she and daughter Mary Ellen sang with the St. Dunstan’s Church Choir as they competed at the Eisteddfod in Llangollen Wales and performed during a tour of several venues in England and Wales. Another highlight occurred when she sang with several massed choirs during the visit by Pope John Paul II to Moncton, N.B. in 1984. Later when the children were older, Leah worked in accounting, and in real estate sales. During her many years, she was involved in several community and church activities including St. Dunstan’s Church,   Perfect Circle Motorhome Chapter; and Holy Family Church. She had a special talent for sewing and quilting, and produced many fine examples of her work, mostly donated to family and friends. What always mattered most to her was the love of her life John, her family and friends. After their retirement, she and John enjoyed several trips abroad. They also travelled extensively in their motorhomes over a period of more than forty years.

The family would like to thank all the attending physicians and health-care professionals at the Extra-Mural Program and Palliative Care Unit at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital for their compassionate care. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church in Fredericton on Wednesday August 28, 2024 at 12:00 noon. A private grave-side service will be held at a later date.

For those who wish, memorial donations would be welcomed to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made through McAdams Funeral Home at www.mcadamsfh.com