Wilda Loveday Devine, 94, dies

Surrounded by her family, Wilda Loveday Devine passed away on August 26, 2018, in Guilford. She was the daughter of George W. Loveday and Lydia (Seifert) Loveday June; she grew up on Lake Quonnipaug in North Guilford. Wilda proudly served in the Navy during WWII and was stationed in Dahlgren, Virginia. While raising her family in Marlborough, CT, she went back to school and attended Willimantic State Teachers’ College, obtaining a BS in History and Education, and began a 20-year teaching career in Glastonbury. She continued her education by earning a Master of Arts and Literary Studies from Wesleyan University and followed that with an MS in Environmental Science from ECSU. 

After her family was grown, Wilda and her husband moved back to North Guilford, where she resided once again on Lake Quonnipaug. When they retired in 1984, they moved to St John, USVI, and built their winter home where she enjoyed snorkeling, gardening, and landscaping. Every spring they returned to the lake, where she continued to swim and garden. Wilda and Gene spent much time traveling around the world and loved sharing pictures and stories of their adventures. They returned to live at Lake Quonnipaug full time in the early 2000s.

Wilda’s hands were always busy, and she could always be seen with her knitting needles clicking away. There are innumerable babies and laps that are warmer today because of her love of knitting. Her projects took top awards at Durham Fair for many years.

Wilda was predeceased by her husband Eugene Devine, brother Daniel Loveday, and grand-daughter Heather Devine. 

She is survived by her children and their spouses Patricia M. Devine and Marty Sellers of North Grosvenordale; David M. Devine and Cynthia of Middletown; Laure Devine and Martin Castonguay of Rimouski, Québec, Canada; Mark E. Devine and Elizabeth of Durham; grandchildren Amy Burdeshaw, Daniel Devine; Joshua Devine, Todd Devine, Erin Davis, Elizabeth Hrywniak; Emilie Castonguay, Alexandre Castonguay, François Castonguay; eight great-grandchildren; brother George (Bill) Loveday of Guilford, sister Joanne Palm of Florida, dear cousin Georgia Gibson of New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Wilda’s family would like to express their most sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the staff of The Guilford House for the gentle and compassionate care that was extended to our mother and the rest of the family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the North Guilford Fire Department.
Services will be held at North Guilford Congregational Church, 159 Ledge Hill Rd Guilford on Friday, Oct. 5 at 1 pm.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Wilda Loveday Devine, please visit Guilford Funeral Home’s Tribute Store.