Mary Ellen McDevitt

Mary Ellen McDevitt passed away peacefully at home on June 3, 2022. She was born in Medford, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late James and Rita McDevitt. She is survived by her devoted spouse, Denise McGowan; loving sister Margaret and brother-inlaw William Monagle of Lynnfield, MA; brothers Thomas (Patricia), John (Maureen), William (Lauren), and James McDevitt, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was a lifelong educator and received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Fairfield University. “Ms. Divitt,” as her students called her, treasured her days in the classroom throughout her many years in the New Haven public school system. She had a gift of knowing how to engage each child and encourage their strengths.

As a staunch supporter of animal advocacy over her lifetime, Mary Ellen gave a loving home to many dogs, cats, geese, horses, chickens, and sheep. Her happiest years were spent in Bethany with Denise, caring for her horses and rescue animals, riding her infamous tractor, collecting tools, cooking fabulous recipes and tending her garden. She viewed the world through an artist’s eye and had a deep appreciation for the beauty and majesty of all of nature. She enjoyed music of all kinds from Gregorian chant to Klezmer, Broadway tunes, Latin melodies, opera, classical, and pop. She was an avid reader, completing two books a week, and never missed a chance to peruse Denise’s medical journals and discuss the latest research at dinner.

More recently, Mary Ellen taught us by example to be brave and steadfast in the face of adversity and illness. Her deep faith, nurtured by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, was her sustenance. Her boundless energy, strength, and ability to connect with whomever she met will be remembered fondly by family, friends, neighbors and caregivers. She was a genuinely unique soul, a vital presence with an engaging sense of humor, a loyal friend and confidante, and a loving and devoted spouse, sister, and aunt. She will be greatly missed.

Friends may visit with her family on Wednesday, June 15th from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden prior to her Memorial Service, which will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Mary Ellen’s burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fair Haven Community Health Center, 374 Grand Avenue, New Haven, CT 06513 or The Animal Haven Inc., 89 Mill Rd., North Haven, CT 06473. To send a condolence to her family, please see www.beecherandbennett.com.