SILENT STRENGTH

Thank you all for being here to help us celebrate the life of our Mother, Betty Devlin

As I read this eulogy, I ask that you listen to see if you can hear the common thread – the theme of our Mother's life.

Mom came from very humble beginnings, leaving school and joining the workforce at a very early age, something I understand was very common in the 1930’s-40’s.  For a time, Mom worked on military air crafts, as a riveter. We believe “Rosie the riveter” personified our Mom’s STRENGTH and determination. She met and married our Father, Gene Devlin at the age of 19. He was the love of her life since their first meeting at the neighborhood grocery store. Mom dropped a carton of eggs and Dad replaced them in exchange for a date.  

Her life was never easy, but through it all, Mom remained positive, resilient and STRONG.  Mom and Dad quickly began their Family with 2 daughters (Margaret and Sherry) within the first 2 years of marriage.  Dad was in the military during this time and was not home alot with Mom and my sisters.  Mom had to be STRONG for both of them and their young family.

Dad held a series of jobs after the military.  Sometimes working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet.  They added another child (Cindy) 3 years later.   Mom was STRONG, never complaining, giving her love and care to her children, ceaselessly.

In November 1955, our family uprooted and moved to California.  Leaving her father, brother and sister behind in Iowa took courage and STRENGTH, but she did not complain.  She boarded a train with 3 small children and headed across country.

Linda was born 7 years after Cindy.  Karen 5 years later, Shelley 3 years later and Lisa a year later.  (for those of you doing the calculations...that is 7 DAUGHTERS!)  If this doesn’t speak “STRENGTH” to you ….I don’t know what to say!

Our memories of mom are varied.  She was not the outgoing, demonstrative type, except when it was called for. She relied on her trusty house slipper that she skillfully flung at us with laser accuracy, even around corners when we were misbehaving.…But she was ALWAYS there.  She clothed us, fed us, comforted us, kept us clean and worry free. She was there when we were sick or broken hearted.  She may not have said much, but her STRENGTH and endless love was felt by us all.

When you think of building a home you may think of the structure, the walls, the rooms…how many bathrooms does it have    But what holds that structure up?   The foundation.   THAT was our Mom.   She was the foundation…silent, often unseen, that allowed Dad to build our Family “structure”.   Without that foundation, no home would stand.  Without our Mother, holding us up, we would not have flourished and learned how to be the amazing, STRONG Moms we are today.

We want to take this time to reflect, to acknowledge and to say THANK YOU MOM for your SILENT STRENGTH.  We only hope our STRENGTH and that of our children and grandchildren can reflect what you quietly showed us all.

We LOVE YOU MOM