Mary Elizabeth Devine

STERLING – Mary Elizabeth Devine, 83, of Sterling, died Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011, at Kindred Hospital in Sycamore.

She was born Nov. 10, 1927, in Ohio, the daughter of John Elmer and Margaret Ann (Doran) Gugerty. She married John Eugene Devine on Oct. 17, 1953, in Ohio. Prior to her marriage, she worked for 7 years at Northern Illinois Utility in Dixon. She later worked as a medical transcriptionist at Sterling-Rock Falls Clinic for 15 years, retiring in 1996.

She was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling, where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, as well as the Blue Army. She was a past board member of Hope Pregnancy Center and was involved in Whiteside County Right to Life. She enjoyed entertaining her family at the holidays and was a wonderful cook.

Surviving are her husband, John; three sons, Patrick Devine of Chicago, John S. (Deborah) Devine of Sterling and Joseph (Beth) Devine of St. Louis; one daughter, Ann (Scott) Lawrence of Dixon; nine grandchildren, Christopher Devine, Bridgette (Chad) Oester, Gregg Devine, Geoff Devine, Danielle Devine, Megen Devine, Ryan Devine, Kristen Lawrence and Kari Lawrence; two great-grandchildren, Ella Oester and Breckan Oester; one sister, Charlene Cooper of South Euclid, Ohio; and two brothers, Arthur (Lucille) Gugerty of Ohio and Jack (Carol) Gugerty of Princeton.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant grandson, John S. Devine Jr.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., with the rosary recited at 4 p.m., today at McDonald Funeral Home, 1002 12th Ave., in Rock Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Sterling, with the Rev. Donald Ahles, celebrant, officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Sterling.

Memorials have been established to Gianna’s House in Rock Falls, and to St. Mary Catholic Church.