Eleanor A. (Reynolds) Devlin, 95, a longtime resident of Framingham died Friday, November 3, 2023 with her family at her side, after a period of declining health. Born in Waltham, she was the daughter of the late Stephen H. & Catherine A. (Rankin) Reynolds, the third of 10 children and beloved wife of the late Robert E. Devlin.
Raised and educated in Waltham, Eleanor was a graduate of St. Charles High School. She worked at the A & P before marrying Robert (Bob) in 1950 and settling in Framingham. In 1951 they built their first house on Saxony Road and began raising their family. In 1964 they built their second home on Overlook Drive with the aid of Bob’s construction company. Overlook Drive was their forever place, building one house and then another and developing the surrounding neighborhood.
She was an active parishioner and contributor for many years at both St. George in Saxonville and St. Anselm in Sudbury. Eleanor became part of CYO and established the Friday night dances at St George’s, which were a fun and safe place for teens to gather. She and Bob chaperoned the dances and the ski & skating trips. She also coordinated bazaars at St George’s & St Anselm’s soliciting gifts for raffles from businesses in the Framingham area. And as both a fund raiser and fun activity, Ellie organized Bingo for the churches, coordinating and acquiring gifts and financial support. She was also a core member of the parishioner team who occupied St. Anselm’s for 21 months, when the diocese wanted to close it, sleeping on a pew bench every Thursday night. Dedication and commitment were integral parts of her makeup.
Feisty by nature, Eleanor was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining. Cooking, reading and dissecting recipes was a passion. Her home was always open and welcoming to family, neighbors and friends. She brought people together and made them feel welcome. A natural storyteller, her nieces, nephews and grandchildren called on Auntie Eleanor or Nana to tell tales about the family. At 95 she was the link to all that came before.
Eleanor loved to travel. Over the years she and Bob slowly explored areas outside of New England. First Florida, then Bermuda and eventually the West Coast, Hawaii and Europe. In time they discovered North Carolina and the Outer Banks and found their perfect spot. Ellie loved her beach house in Nags Head. For 25 years she drove the 12 hours to get there and enjoyed the road adventure. Its location, 40 steps to the sea was a dream fulfilled. She and Bob graciously shared Devlin’s Roost with their children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and friends.
Family was her pride and joy. Eleanor is survived by her children, Patty Devlin-Driskel & her husband Dana of Goleta, CA, Joan Devlin Stephenson & her husband Richard of Ashland, Robert E. Devlin, Jr. of Chula Vista, CA, Stephen R. Devlin & his wife Jennifer of Framingham, and Catherine Bacon & her husband Clyde of Newbury, NH, her grandchildren, Jean Marie & Julianna Driskel, Jennifer Visinho & her husband Christopher, Gregory Stephenson & his girlfriend Amanda Rogers, Meghan & Emma Devlin, Douglas Bacon & his wife Mary, Gigi Bacon Theberge & her husband JP and their children Fabiola, Paco, & Gisella Theberge, and her great granddaughter, Olivia Stephenson Visinho.
Eleanor was the third of 10 children and is survived by her sisters, Patti McKinnon and Cathy Bacon. Her siblings John Reynolds, Marion Reynolds, Joe Reynolds, Barbara Donovan, Ann Skehan, Jean Reynolds and Bernice Brown have preceded her in death.
Family and friends will honor and remember Eleanor’s life by gathering for visiting hours in the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home, 11 Lincoln St. Framingham on Sunday, November 12th from 2-5 pm. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 13th at St. Anselm Church, 100 Landham Rd., Sudbury at 10 am. Interment will take place in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eleanor’s name to: St. Anselm Church, 100 Landham Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776.
To share a memory with the Devlin family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Norton Funeral Home