Anna "Mimi" Philomena Devaney

Anna Philomena (nee, Doherty) Devaney, of Emerson, New Jersey passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, October 13th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, John (Jack), as well as her siblings Michael, James, Mary, Johnnie, Norah, Paddy, Breid, Charlie, Liam, and Kathleen. She is survived by her brother Peadar, as well as her children, Jim (Katie), John “Jack” (Eileen), Michael, Elizabeth (Andy), and Regina (Neil). She also had a gaggle of grandchildren, who adored her: Jared, Ryan, Rachel, Will, Sam, Ben, Phebe, Tara, Jack, Ella, Cassie, Nolan, Graham, Kieran and Anna and one sweet great-grandchild, Henry.

Anna, or Anne as Jack and friends called her, or Mimi as her children and grandchildren called her, was born on March 9, 1930, in Corraine, Ballybofey, County Donegal, Ireland to Elizabeth and Michael Doherty. She grew up on a farm outside of Ballybofey, Ireland, in a large and loving family. Among other jobs she held, she worked as a seamstress and developed a love and flair for fashion, which stayed with her for the rest of her life. She had a seemingly effortless style and was often the best-dressed person in the room. She also loved to attend local dances, and never lost her love of either dancing or singing.

Following her sense of adventure, Mimi moved to the United States in the late 1960s. While living and working in New York City, which was a far cry from Ballybofey, she met and eventually married the love of her life, Jack, with whom she shared nearly fifty years of marriage. Together, they sang and danced whenever they could, through good times and hard times, and they made a life for themselves and their wonderful children in New Jersey. They especially loved being grandparents, and Mimi enveloped all of her grandkids with unforgettable hugs. Jack and Mimi were always by each other’s side throughout their lives, and now they will be again.

Those who were lucky enough to know Mimi would agree they had never known someone as kind, welcoming, loyal, and loving. They would tell you she could and would talk about anything except her age! Mimi will live on among her children and grandchildren, for whom she set an example of what it means to live a good life, focused on family, faith, and friends. She will be sorely missed, but she will be forever alive in those she touched and shaped.

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ, on Tuesday, October 17th from 3-8 PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating Anna‘s life and faith will be held at Church of the Assumption, Emerson, NJ on Wednesday, October 18th at 12:45 PM.

As an expression of sympathy (or in lieu of flowers), it would be most meaningful to Anna to make donations to your local food bank or homeless shelters.