Obituary of Barbara Devereaux

Barbara Devereaux, an extraordinary wife, mother, sister, and aunt, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 at the age of 87. She was surrounded by love. 

Barbara’s life revolved around family. She was born to Roy and Leah Bennett in Somerville, where she grew up, went to school, met Arthur, and raised her own family. Barbara and Arthur married in August of 1958 then spent 50 years together in their home on Parkdale Street before moving to Burlington. 

Her home was symbolic for the way she lived her life. In short, Barbara didn’t have keys to the front door because it was never locked. Through the years she hosted her siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, friends and many others. There’s no telling how many people walked through that door. Barbara loved to read and often got so drawn into a book that she would read through the night. Nieces, nephews, and grandchildren could drop in at all hours of the day or night to visit, grab a meal or just share a cup of tea. 

Barbara was a founder of many family traditions. She hosted her siblings, their spouses, and any other family for “Tuesday Night” for more than 15 years. It started as a clean-out party after Nana Bennett passed away and morphed into a weekly tradition full of laughter, food and hot tea. 

She was also a founder, though somewhat reluctantly, of Christmas Tree Weekend. A tradition that has endured since the 1970s and has impacted 100s of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. This weekend in Wolfeboro, NH has grown to such proportions that they fill the Windrifter resort. The strength of commitment to family tradition can also be seen in the Bennett Family Christmas party. Again bringing together hundreds of family members over several decades to eat, drink and visit and enjoy the love of family. 

Somewhere along the way The Camp was born. Barbara and Arthur built a small cottage on Long Pond in Barrington, New Hampshire. The magic of the cottage extended beyond their own children to their nieces, nephews and friends. Barbara’s siblings visited often for prolonged periods and cousin relationships were cemented. The communal memories made in and around that lakeside cottage have transcended generations including visions of Barbara and Maud reading, laughing and playing cards. Both of her sons met their spouses on the pond and her children and grandchildren continue to enjoy that tan water. 

Barbara’s chicken salad was legendary. Every family member, friend and friend of friend requested it. She made it for parties, trips, and special occasions, random Tuesdays and anytime her grandchildren asked. She made it for her adult children long after they could cook

for themselves. Making it for someone brought her joy. She’d say, “drop off the ingredients, it will be ready tomorrow.” 

She loved traveling with Arthur, her children, and her siblings. She was always ready to head to a casino. She traveled by plane, boat, car, and train. She stayed in hotels or condos, family homes, and pop-up tents. She had memorable trips to New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, California, Tennessee, Arizona, New York City, Mexico, Niagara Falls, Myrtle Beach, Newfoundland, and England with various siblings and friends. She traveled several times with her entire family to Washington DC, Colorado, Florida, and Texas. 

Nana was all about family but grandchildren were her favorite endeavor. For years she committed her time to minding various children. She was fully invested, never missing a graduation, cheer competition, marching band performance, rowing competition, football game, track meet, gymnastics meet, recital, or play. She followed each of their passions with enthusiasm and attention to detail. The grandchildren reciprocated and each had their own unique relationship with her. Nana’s house was the first place you stopped before prom and graduation or to show off your new car. Or you could show off your motorcycle if you were a “damn fool.” It was where you brought cookies, cakes or ice cream left over after your shift, or where you met up for a meal after work. It’s where you went to relax for a minute and have a cup of tea. Barbara was an amazing mother but she was an epic grandmother. She loved her grandchildren unconditionally. 

Barbara will be dearly missed by so many friends and family members. Her generosity, sincerity and welcoming presence were felt by so many. 

Barbara was the beloved wife of the late Arthur Devereaux. She was the loving mother of Arthur Devereaux Jr. and his late wife Dottie of Bedford, MA, Steven Devereaux and his wife Donna of Milford, Joyce Davison and her husband Doug of Burlington, and the late Julie Devereaux and her wife Christine of Burlington. She was the proud Nana of Lauren Devereaux and her husband Ed Proctor, Leah Devereaux and her late husband Rich Razumny, Nikole Devereaux and her fiancé Noah Meunier, Ryan Devereaux, Paige Devereaux, Clayton Davison, Cody Davison and Julia Donovan, Cora Davison and Jonathan Lundgren, as well as great-grandmother to Arthur and Maeve Razumny. 

Barbara was the caring sister to her brother Herb Bennett and his late wife Theresa of Andover NH, formerly of Medford and sister Dot and her late husband Al of Magnolia, MA, as well as Patricia Bennett of Malden, wife of Barbara’s late brother John, and Peggy Bennett of Holiday Florida, wife of Barbara’s late brother Walter. Barbara is pre-deceased by her sister Maud

Gilgun and her husband Jimmy, Midred Ortolani and her husband Johnny, Nina Stimpson and her husband Billy, Billy Bennett and his wife Elaine. 

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Sunday, March 10, from 5:00 to 8:30 PM at Fairways & The Green's Grille & Pub, at Woburn Country Club, 5 Country Club Road, Woburn, MA. 

For online guestbook, tribute video, and service information, please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net.