This obituary was originally published on Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.
Maureen Elizabeth Devan, 84, passed away on April 21, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on February 25, 1942, in Manhattan, NY and was the beloved only child of Irene and John Brennan. Maureen was a true native New Yorker and grew up Brooklyn, NY where she attended St. Brendan Diocesan High School and Brooklyn College. A grandchild of Irish immigrants, she was the first generation to receive a college degree in her family. While attending Brooklyn College, she met the love of her life, Joseph William Devan, who decided that he would marry her the first time he saw her across a room, a story he loved to tell. They were married on September 1, 1962, and were married for 58 years until Joe passed away on May 5, 2020. Both of them fought valiant fights against cancer.
Maureen was a devoted mother and grandmother. Joseph and Maureen moved their family to Monmouth County, NJ in 1969 and they spent many special years there on the Jersey Shore. Joe’s career also moved them to London, England where they had many wonderful adventures as a family traveling through different countries. She was an elementary school teacher at St. Leo the Great Elementary School in Lincroft, NJ and at the American Community Schools of London in England. She had a second career at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill in nurse recruiting and retired from the State of NC. She loved to travel and read books. She was an excellent cook and baker, and she loved to sew, knit, crochet and garden. She truly excelled at anything she attempted and loved technology and always had the latest tech devices. In later years she enjoyed her book club, knitting group and exercise class group where she made wonderful friends. Joe and Maureen retired to Chapel Hill, NC and then relocated to Fayetteville NC in 2006. They loved Kure Beach and Blowing Rock, N.C.
She is survived by her son Michael, (Leah) and daughter Laura, (Jeff) and grandchildren Morgan, Colin, Rachel, Nicholas, and Michael. A great animal lover, she had many dogs through the years including her special FAPs rescue dog Maggie who was a wonderful companion to her. She was dearly loved and will be missed by many.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, in the family room at St. Patrick Catholic Church, followed by a funeral mass in the church. A private family burial will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fayetteville Animal Protection Society (FAPS) at http:// https://www.fapspet.org/
Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com
Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301