Constance A. Devine

Constance A. (Connie) Devine, 87, beloved wife of the late James W. Devine Jr., and loving mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Maine Medical Center on January 29, 2015. She was born in Rutland, Massachusetts, on November 7, 1927, a daughter of William H.P. Coyne and Mary E. Curran Coyne. Connie grew up in the East Deering section of Portland and graduated from St. Josephs Academy in 1945. She furthered her education at St. Josephs College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in education in 1951. She married James W. Devine Jr. on June 28, 1952 in El Paso, Texas. Connie was a beloved teacher in Portland area schools for a total of 45 years. She began her career teaching in a one room schoolhouse on Long Island, Maine. After taking time off to raise her family, she returned to teaching as a substitute teacher and Ed. Tech, retiring in 1996. Connie was an active volunteer in her community. She was a communicant of St. Pius X Church, where she was a religious educator, Eucharistic minister and a member of the Parish Council. She served as a Ward Clerk in East Deering, for the City of Portland. Connie was a member of the Portland Teachers Union and served on the negotiating team for the Portland Ed. Techs. In addition to her years of teaching, she was an active volunteer in the elementary schools, even many years after retirement. She had a lifetime hobby of collecting antiques and frequenting yard sales and flea markets. She and her husband set up at local flea markets, becoming cherished members of its local community. She is predeceased by her husband; her infant son, Charles Devine; a sister, Mary Dow; and two brothers, William and Richard Coyne. She is survived by two daughters, Jennifer A. Hartel and husband Mark of Cape Elizabeth, and Jean M. Gorman and husband Michael of Stratham, New Hampshire; two sons, James W. Devine III of Portland, and John G. Devine MD and partner Seth Meisler of San Francisco, California; and six grandchildren, James Devine, Timothy Hartel, Andrew Hartel, John Gorman, Clara Gorman, and Annie Gorman. Visiting hours will be held 4:00 7:00 pm, Tuesday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited at 10:15 am, at the funeral home followed by an 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth, in the spring. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Preble Street Resource Center, 38 Preble Street, Portland, Maine, 04101.