Beverly DeVille

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 18, 1936 to Frank and Margaret Bodin, at a very young age she moved to Miami, FL. Beverly used to say that though she wasn’t born in Florida, she got here as fast as she could.

She met the love of her life Robert DeVille after she asked a friend to introduce her to “Bob.” Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, Bob had asked the same friend to arrange a meeting with Beverly. Fittingly, they met at Publix, the store where Bob worked. They were married on September 15, 1954 and soon moved to their lifelong home Naples, FL.

Together, they raised six children: Kenneth Allen (Michelle), Phillip Andrew (Marabeth), Roberta Ann (Marty Martella), Monica Lee (Dennis Dickerson), Troy Lawrence, and Colette Marie. Beverly had 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

She traveled the world together with Bob, visiting virtually every continent and did a cross-country road trip to Alaska every summer for 25 years.

Beverly was an active member of the Catholic church. She was involved with Emmaus, Curcillo, and she and Bob both became Eucharistic Ministers. Beverly and Bob volunteered with the Jamaica Outreach program for over 14 years. In Jamaica, Beverly performed for the children as Miss Fussy Grits, a rainbow-colored clown. She perfected her clown talents at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Sarasota where she learned face-painting and balloon animal skills.

Beverly was a foster mother to over 17 newborn babies before they were connected with their adoptive families. Her compassion for the babies was so deep that she even fostered two infants simultaneously.

Beverly had a curious spirit. She was a lover of fun, her family, and finding beauty in everyday life. A lifelong learner, she constantly researched facts and trivia. She delighted in random acts of kindness. She would remember details about acquaintances and anonymously drop off their favorite chocolate or a card. She was extremely creative and crafty. She was known for sending gorgeously hand-lettered glittery envelopes. She sewed and loved to draw and Zentangle.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Bob, son Troy, and grandsons Zane and Troy Jr.

A viewing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Hodges Funeral Home, 525 111th Ave. N., with a funeral Mass at 11 a.m., Friday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 625 111th Ave. N. A livestream will be available at https://sjecc.org/funeral-mass/.