Anna L. Devers

Anna LaRue Shaffer (Ann) Devers was born November 13, 1933 at home on the family farm in Paint Township, Pennsylvania. She was the second of five children born to Pearl (Naugle) and Charles Shaffer. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Thomas Lutheran Church where her family was very active. The Shaffer family packed up their belongings in a travel trailer in the summer of 1949 to begin a new life in Denver, Colorado. Ann enrolled at William Smith High School in Aurora and graduated in 1951. In addition to receiving her diploma, Ann also met her lifelong partner, George Devers. In the fall of 1949, she asked this handsome Senior to be her date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. They have been a couple ever since!

After graduation, while George was in the Military, Ann worked as the Office Secretary at the Hesteds Department Store in Aurora. When George was honorably discharged, he went into a Management Trainee program at Hesteds. They were married on April 18, 1953 at Messiah Lutheran Church.

George and Ann welcomed their son, Kevin Dale into their lives on May 29, 1961. Tragically, Kevin died of a cerebral hemorrhage on December 23^rd of that year. As Ann would say, ""He was loaned to us, and then reclaimed by his heavenly father.""

George took a position managing a Hesteds in Steamboat Springs and then in Hardin, Montana in the mid-sixties. In Montana, Ann took a position with a small newspaper and learned to run the linotype. When they returned to Aurora a few years later, she used her skills at the Aurora Star newspaper, setting type and running the office. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Colorado in Denver. She then began an 18 year career with the CU Medical Center when it was on Colorado Blvd. She helped coordinate their computer data system by providing the important interface between users and programmers.

Ann was an inspiration as she became an athlete in her forties. She enjoyed softball, bowling, golf, volleyball, tennis and even curling. She made many lasting friendships on her softball team-the ""Colorado Peaches"" -and her bowling team-the ""Pin Pals"" of the ""Frilly Dames"" league. She traveled all over the country pitching, as well as playing other positions, for the ""Peaches"" in the National Senior Games and the Huntsman World Senior Games. Her team earned medals-including Gold-in a number of the tournaments.

George and Ann had a passion for travel and had many wonderful trips together. As members of ""Ports of Call,"" they went on 17 Ocean Cruises to explore many exotic ports around the world. They also had three bus tours in Europe and two River Cruises. They had many interesting and sometimes challenging experiences as they kept broadening their horizons.

George and Ann were faithful members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Aurora for decades where they made many wonderful friends. When St. Matthew closed, they joined St. Marks Lutheran Church. Both Ann and George enjoyed going out to eat with friends, keeping up with Ann's sister Betty, and time with nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and even some great-great nieces and nephews. Thanksgiving was always a special time shared with the Devers side of the family around a scrumptious feast where Ann always had second helpings.

Ann's health began to fail her a few years ago after a serious fall. She and George made the move to the Courtyards at Mountain View in February 2018-first to independent living and then to assisted living. Ann enjoyed a delightful surprise 85^th birthday party last November at the Courtyards. She was surrounded by many friends from church, softball, bowling as well as her beloved George and other loving family members. It was a very special celebration that meant a lot to her.

Ann suffered a severe stroke and was hospitalized on October 23^rd. She was released to hospice care on October 28^th and died peacefully that night, attended by a niece and two nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Pearl and Charles, her beloved son Kevin Dale, and her sister, Charlotte Montgomery. She is survived by her faithful husband, George, her sister Betty Barwinski, and brothers Carl (Clement) Ditolla, and Larry Shaffer, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many wonderful friends that she treasured.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, November 9th at 10:30am at St. Marks Lutheran Church. Internment of the ashes will be at Ft. Logan Cemetery future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann's honor can be made to St. Marks Memorial Fund or Denver Hospice.

May God Bless the Memory of Ann Devers.

Memorial Service: November 9, 2019 10:30 am

St Mark's Lutheran Church
111 Del Mar Circle
Aurora, CO 80011
303-366-9702
https://www.stmarksaurora.org/