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Obituary of Jean Devenny
Jean Christena Devenny (McMillan)
August 7, 1935 – February 26, 2025
With love and gratitude, we remember the wonderful life of Jean Christena Devenny (McMillan), who passed away in her 90th year. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Jean’s warmth, strength, and love touched everyone who knew her.
Born in Ottawa to Roy and Helen McMillan, Jean grew up with her siblings Kay (Moffatt) Midwinter, Dorothy Robertson, and Dr. Don McMillan. She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings, and her beloved son, Bruce.
Jean graduated as a Registered Nurse from Kingston General Hospital in 1957 and spent her life caring for her close-knit family.
Loving wife to James Allan Devenny, QC, for more than 66 years, together they raised four children: Catherine (Bill Bennett), Bruce (Mary), Eric (Kathleen), and Donald (Kirsten). She was an incredibly proud grandmother to Bennetts – Erica (Paul Mead), Samantha (Jonah Rooney), James, and David – and to Devennys – Chris (Caillie West), Liam (May Lee Birks), Alana, Katie, Laura (Chris Metzler), and Caroline. Her love extended to her great-grandchildren: Tyson and Damien Devenny, and Tanner and Brooke Mead. She will also be lovingly remembered by her in-laws, Marilyn McMillan, Jean and Doug McNally, Marg and David Devenny, and Scotland’s Catherine Devenny, and her fifteen nieces and nephews.
Jean was an accomplished ballroom dancer, winning multiple dancing competitions. She was longtime golfer in Ottawa at the Hunt Club, and in Florida at Isla del Sol. She inherited her father’s love of curling and was an active curler for many years at the Granite Curling Club bringing the same competitive spirit and enthusiasm to the rink as she did to her life.
Jean and Jim shared a love of travel and explored the world together by plane and by ship. For the past 30 years, their winters were spent in Isla del Sol, Florida, where they embraced a wonderful “second life” in the warmth and sunshine, surrounded by great friends and endless activities. They also took great joy in sharing their love of travel with family, organizing two unforgettable Caribbean cruises in 2003 and 2013 that brought the entire family together for laughter, adventure, and cherished memories.
Summers were all about family at the cottage on Danford Lake. Jean and Jim purchased the cottage in 1968, and it became the heart of family life. Every summer, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends gathered there, creating cherished memories—swimming, laughing, and spending time together. It was a place of love, adventure, and relaxation, where Jean spent the majority of every summer, making sure everyone felt welcome and at home.
In recent years, Jean found great joy in watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow, celebrating their accomplishments, and staying closely connected with family. She will be deeply missed, but her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.
A heartfelt thank you to the fabulous Dr. McDonald and the wonderful staff at the Barrhaven Viva Retirement Residence, who went above and beyond in their support for Jean.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa.
For any that wish to donate to a charity in memory of Jean, please consider a favourite of hers, Christie Lake Kids – it’s a great organization aimed at helping kids enjoy the wilderness and a cottage experience. Donate at christielakekids.com
1935 2025
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
death notice Jean
Devenny 1935 2025
obituaries notice Jean
Devenny 1935 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Jean
Devenny 1935 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
