Elaine Devine

Elaine Devine, age 82, of Annandale, Virginia passed away on Monday, March 14, 2022. Elaine was born February 2, 1940 in Central City, PA to Frank and Anna Kanuik Russian, immigrants from Eastern Europe. Elaine grew up on a small family farm with thirteen brothers and sisters: Anna, George, Mary, Nancy, Charley, John, Mike, Paulette, Don, Joe, Nick, Fred and Stacy.

Childhood years for Elaine and her siblings were challenging and character building with long hours for her brothers on the farm and as many hours for her sisters and mother, baking, cooking, and making clothing as there was little extra money for any store-bought luxuries.

Upon graduation from high school, Elaine left the farm and everything she knew to pursue a better life in Washington, DC. There she met her husband, Jack Devine with whom she had three boys, Chris, Steve and Tom. And later the Devine family grew with the addition of a daughter-in-law, Kim, and then two grandsons, Carter and Spencer. Everyone around Elaine knew when her grandsons were coming for a visit. She so enjoyed those visits!

Elaine had a long and storied career as an administrator in DC working for the USDA, CIA and the FEC. Jack’s career in the civil service took Elaine and the boys to England for five years where the youngest, Tom was born, and then to Saudi Arabia for four years. Her boys went to school while abroad, and the family traveled for vacations and had many fun family adventures.

Elaine was a skilled baker. Many years ago, neighborhood kids would knock on her garage door in Annandale after school for brownies and all kinds of treats. She was well known for a wide variety of pies, and her world-famous Peanut Brittle, as many affectionately called Elaine “PB”. She made the peanut brittle for gifts, sold it for her business “Just Devine Cakes & Sweets”, and most pridefully sold it to raise funds for St. Mary’s Orthodox Church where she was a founding member.

Elaine was an avid gardener spending countless hours digging and pruning, and then sitting on her porch watching the birds enjoy the bird baths and bird feeders. She also grew to love the action of the stock market, later in life, with the help of her favorite TV friend, Jim Cramer.

Elaine was a champion of women’s issues, offering counsel and advice to women of all ages on how to prepare for the future. She was also a fierce advocate for the mentally ill fighting for better treatment and care. And, in later years, Elaine discovered a love for poetry and writing her memoirs. She was also a lover of music, especially Willie Nelson.

Finally, Elaine was a breast cancer survivor and warrior. She lived with cancer for almost two decades and she fought a valiant fight being her own advocate. She endured so many hours of chemo and radiation with little to no pain medication. She rarely complained and stayed positive in the face of a cruel and deadly disease. She was lucky to have neighbors and friends like Doris and Dan Gearing to help her through difficult times along with the support of her family. Elaine fought this battle on her own terms and in her last days was surrounded by family and friends.

Such a presence in every room she entered, her absence will be felt with every passing day, and she will be greatly missed. May her memory be a blessing to everyone who loved her.

We love you mom.

The Family is requesting that flowers kindly not be sent to the church.

A visitation for Elaine will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at St. Mary Orthodox Church, 7223 Roosevelt Ave, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 7223 Roosevelt Ave, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. A committal service will occur Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Fairfax Memorial Park, 4401 Burke Station Rd, Fairfax, Virginia 22032.