CHARLOTTE — Deacon Patrick Joseph Devine III, aged 73, died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, at his home with his loving wife Michele and four children by his side.
He was preceded in death by his mother Rose Mary McKeown and father Patrick Joseph Devine II; his sister Mary Joan; his brother Michael; and 4 unnamed siblings.
He was born July 27, 1947, and served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University (Class of 1975). An active man to be around, he loved to ski, golf, do woodworking, and travel. He always called his family his greatest achievement in life of which he was most proud.
Deacon Devine was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., on Oct. 4, 1986. During his 34 years of ministry as a permanent deacon, he also served for the dioceses of Orange and San Jose, Calif.
After relocating to the Charlotte area, Deacon Devine worked part-time for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and retired from the Transportation Security Administration Because of the time he spent at the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, he asked the Diocese of Charlotte for an assignment in airport ministry. Soon afterwards, Deacon Devine was granted faculties and assigned as an airport chaplain.
Deacon Devine was a gentle and caring person who never met a stranger. He is going to be missed greatly by his family, friends and fellow airport chaplains, and all those who have traveled through the airport will always remember his kind words and helping hand.
Those left behind to cherish Deacon Devine’s memories and carry on his legacy are his loving wife of almost 52 years, Michele Denis Devine; his four children: son Jason Devine, and daughters Jennifer Hassing, Patricia Freeman and Janice von Trapp; and 13 grandchildren: Patrick Ryan, Dillon Michael and Connor Jay Hassing; Jayda Rose and Joseph Maximus Devine; Marcus Brian, Johanna Michele Tizita, Grayson Frank Joseph and Devin Patrick Freeman; and Reilly Rose, Reagan Michele, Ryan Harper and Jude Phillip von Trapp.
Interment was at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. A celebration of life event will be held at a later date when pandemic restrictions allow.
Deacon Devine, a supporter of St. Jude’s Hospital, has always believed no child should ever suffer from cancer and request that donations be made to St Jude’s in lieu of flowers. Online condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald
Taught in Charlotte, Gastonia, Asheville and Salisbury
BELMONT — Mercy Sister Mary Julia Godwin died Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont. She was 92 and had been a Sister of Mercy for 72 years.
Sister Julia was born in Benson, N.C., the daughter of Enoch Godwin Sr. and Florence Inez Smith. The fifth of 15 children – nine girls and six boys – she was a descendent of the Godwin and Monk families who embraced Catholicism in Newton Grove in 1871. Julia attended Holy Redeemer School in Newton Grove and Meadow High School in Benson. She then earned a baccalaureate degree in social studies from Belmont Abbey College.
Sister Julia entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1949 and chose as her ring motto “Jesus Through Mary.” She studied nursing at Mercy Hospital for two years and then moved on to education. She taught at Sacred Heart Grade School, Salisbury; St. Gabriel’s and St. Patrick’s, Charlotte; St. Michael School, Gastonia; St. Eugene, Asheville; St. Agnes, Greenport, Long Island, N.Y,; and Holy Angels, Belmont.
In addition, Sister Julia spent several years at Nazareth Orphanage in Raleigh. Her ministries at Holy Angels and in the orphanage meant the most to her. She maintained her friendships with the residents of the orphanage to this day.
A people’s person, Sister Julia never met a stranger. She loved community service, visiting the sick and working with the poor. And she loved to travel. Her favorite place to relax was in the mountains at Lake Lure. In retirement she wrote the history of Nazareth Orphanage and the genealogy of her family. She was known as a quiet person who prayed quietly and worked with others quietly. Mostly she was known for her friendships and service to others.
Sister Julia is survived by the Sisters of Mercy; her brothers, Anthony and George Godwin of Benson; and her sisters, Anna Dupree of Raleigh, Agnes Keating of Holden Beach, and Frances Fisher of Southport.
Interment will be at Belmont Abbey Cemetery. All services are private because of the pandemic. Memorials may be sent to the Sisters of Mercy, Sacred Heart Convent, Belmont, North Carolina 28012.
McLean Funeral Home in Belmont is in charge of the arrangements.
— Catholic News Herald