Mary Elizabeth DeVito (nee Crow) was a beloved and cherished mother, wife, aunt, friend, coworker, and neighbor. She died at the age of 95 on October 26, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Mary was born in Zanesville, Ohio, to George Crow and Jennie Price in 1926. She was proud of her strong British heritage; her father was born in London, and her maternal grandparents immigrated from Wales. Mary was a life-long proud Episcopalian and Democrat.
Mary left Zanesville to obtain a business degree in Cleveland, OH. She married and divorced Louis A. Jordan, twice. Elizabeth Taylor was not the only person privileged to “give it a second go.” After the second divorce she met Mark G. DeVito, Jr. who rented the house next door to where Mary lived. The couple wed in 1956, and moved to Prospect Park, PA two years later. They welcomed Mark G. DeVito III in 1959. He died in 1967 after a three-year battle with of Hodgkins Lymphoma. David joined the family later that year.
She was active with St. James Episcopal Church in Prospect Park, to which she held deep affection. Mary served on the Vestry, Alter Guild, was a reader, and appointed to special committees and as a diocese representative. Mary was engaged too as a supporter of her spouse’s myriad volunteer activities. After raising sons, Mary returned to the workforce and was employed by Crozier Chester Medical Center. Mark and Mary lived in Prospect Park for 47 years before moving to Oxford, PA. They resided there for 17 years until January of this year when Mark died at the age of 90. Mary relocated to a memory care facility in Charlottesville, VA later that month.
Mary loved reading, movies, art, history, museums, poetry, jazz music, and travel. Cape May, NJ was a favorite place to relax, eat, and get a sunburn. She loved all animals, having an affinity for dogs, cats, cows, horses, and polar bears. She would humbly admit to few people that she was an oil heiress. Most who met her will remember her very sharp wit.
She is survived by her son David (Dr. Daniel Michalski), loving nieces and nephews, dear friends, helpful neighbors, and supportive healthcare teams in Oxford PA and Charlottesville, VA. Mary was preceded in death by: her spouse of 65 years, Mark; her parents, George Crow and Jennie Price; her brother Thomas Bunce (Alma) Crow; her son Mark George DeVito III; and stepson Daniel John DeVito.
Join us as we celebrate Mary at St. James Episcopal Church on Friday, November 19, 2021. Facial coverings are mandatory. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., and the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following, the burial will take place at Edgewood Memorial Park, Glen Mills, PA.
The church service will be livestreamed at: https://youtu.be/ZPYN5M5slLE The internment will not be livestreamed.
Should you wish to honor her memory with a donation, please consider Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (https://give2.chop.edu/give).
