Alpha Devenish

Alpha P. Devenish passed away peaceably Sunday July 13, 2014, at Oak Park Place, Madison, from complications resulting from Alzheimer's. At the time of her death she was 94 years old. She was born Alpha Piatt, on June 27, 1920 in Livingston, Montana, the youngest child of James and Estelle (Revis) Piatt. Growing up she called many western locales home including, Bozeman, Montana and Ogden, Utah; always in sight of her beloved mountains. She trained and worked as an X-Ray technician until the time of her marriage to Robert W. Devenish, June 1, 1945. She was the mother of Ted Evan, Michael Charles, and Ann Whitney. She and her family settled in Sun Prairie in the fall of 1960.
She cared passionately for many things: she volunteered with the American Red Cross for more than 60 years, helped found the Colonial Club of Sun Prairie and served as its first bookkeeper, she served on the Sun Prairie Housing Authority, worked at the polls at election time, was a Friend of the Library and a member of the 20th Century Club, and volunteered as a docent at the Wisconsin Governor's residence. As the wife of an Air Force officer, she was also active in the Officers' Wives Club at each of the many air bases her husband served at, including his last posting at Truax Air Force Base in Madison, Wisconsin. For many years, she helped organize and guide tours sponsored by the Colonial Club and was a willing travel companion for any of her acquaintances that wished to visit her favorite place, Hawaii.
A day, afternoon, morning, or evening, spent playing bridge was considered by her to be a very good thing, and a book by James A. Michener always worth reading. Friday nights were reserved for the fish fries at Herremann's.
She is remembered by her friends and family as a caring, loving woman, who believed in answering children's questions truthfully. She was open minded and accepted people for what they were; from her mother she learned that God liked variety and that's why people came in so many colors. She was an independent minded woman who treasured the right of women to make their own choices. She believed one found their heaven or hell right here on earth.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother James, her sisters Belva and John, and her husband Robert. She leaves behind to celebrate her memory: her children Ted and Cyndi (Hutton), Michael and Sharon (Maly), Ann and Doug (Cassell), grandchildren Jessica and Todd (Tadych), Ryan and Diana (Kim), and great-granddaughter, Sienna Tadych.
Funeral Service will be held 1:00pm, Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 3416 Swansee Ridge, Sun Prairie, WI with Father Mike Tess presiding. Visitation will be held from 11:00am until time of service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider supporting the work of the American Red Cross, the Alzheimer's Association, or a charity reflecting Alpha's values.