Caroline C DeVale

DEVALE, Caroline, age 101, passed away on June 27, 2018 following a short illness. Born in 1916 in Chicago of Italian parents, Concetta and Pasquale Palma, Caroline was married to John DeVale in 1935 and they made their home in River Forest IL. She graduated from Rosary College, now Dominican University, in 1937, both as the first married woman and the first mother to do so. Her BA is in English Literature and Drama, later receiving an MA in Business. In addition to teaching grammar school for 20 years in Chicago, she was active in art and charitable organizations and introduced her three children to opera and symphony concerts when each was only seven years old. In 1978, Caroline moved permanently to St. Petersburg, Florida where, for most of the next 40 years, she volunteered in cultural, charitable and civic organizations. Foremost among these groups was the Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, now the St. Petersburg Opera Guild, where her involvement began in 1980 among them, Caroline held Presidencies (1988 & 1989) and Vice Presidencies (1990 to 1992), and Chairpersonships or Co-chairpersonships of several Silver Bells annual fund raisers where she read the invocation from 1989 to 2015, Cultural Awards Committee, Opera Caravan, Hospitality for After Theater Parties (1985-90), provided housing for visiting artists, and one of her favorites: serving as scorekeeper of the Opera Competitions for two years. Caroline, also a longtime member of The Florida Symphony Guild, served as Vice President in 1991 when she instituted the Artist Series for programs at meetings. Her other volunteer work includes the Showcase House for St. Anthony’s Guild, the Advisory Board of the St. Pete Beach Library Board, Chaplain of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of St. Pete Beach, and the Catholic Daughters. In 1999, Caroline was awarded the honor of being a Princess in the Queen of Hearts Court in honor of her many years of volunteer service. Caroline is survived by three children all of whom continue her legacy of involvement in the arts and community. Donald DeVale, (Bonita) an electronic engineering design consultant, has been a church organist and choir director for over 20 years. Dr. Sue Carole DeVale (Donn Carter), harpist and former Professor of Ethnomusicology at UCLA, performs, teaches and provides harps for the community, Dr. Jeri DeVale, a Goodman Theater graduate and both a clinical and organizational psychologist, established The Institute of Healing Arts and Film, a non-profit organization. She is also survived by grandchildren John Harding (Susan), Bonita Swanson (Michael), Martin Harding, Jeanmarie Malherbe (Steven), John DeVale (Kobey), and Caroline Carter; twelve great grandchildren; and her beloved sister-in-law, Mary Aiello Palma. Public visitation will be held at Beach Memorial Chapel, 301 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706, Monday, July 2nd, 2018, from 3 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, July 3rd at St. John Vianney Church, 455 82nd Avenue, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 at 11:00 AM, preceded by a prelude performed by the Tampa Bay Harp Ensemble at 10:40 AM. Vocalist friends from the St. Petersburg Opera will participate in musical offerings. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Saint Petersburg Opera Company, 2145 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL. Please indicate they are in her name and are to be used for educational purposes for children or young artists. For photos and condolences, please visit BeachMemorialChapel.com