Josephine Ruth Devantier

Josephine Ruth Gordon DeVantier, 83, of Bethlehem died on Monday, July 27, 2009 at Hospice of the VNA of St. Luke's in Bethlehem, with her loving family by her side. Josephine was the daughter of the late Elwood and Nellie Tack Gordon of Moscow, PA. Josephine is the wife of Raymond F. DeVantier of Bethlehem, with whom she recently celebrated their 59th anniversary.

Josephine was born in River Rouge, MI on December 20, 1925, but spent most of her youth in Scranton, PA. Jo graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1947 from Syracuse University. She met Ray, who also graduated from Syracuse, while working as a teacher in Roscoe, New York, and they were married on July 15, 1950. She and Ray moved to Bethlehem shortly thereafter, where they raised their three children. A highly intelligent woman of expansive interests, she believed in education. She spent her entire working career of more than 45 years as a teacher at Roscoe Central School and the Bethlehem Area School District, and later as a guidance counselor at Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, where she made many friends with whom she kept in close contact after she retired in 1993. In 1969 she obtained her Masters Degree in Education from Lehigh University, where she later taught for many years as an Adjunct Visiting Instructor in Counseling. She was also active in the community, having served as a Local Girl Scout Leader, a member of the Board for Center for Humanistic Changes, and in many other leadership roles. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bethlehem.

Josephine was happiest when surrounded by friends and family. In particular, she was actively involved in the lives of her daughter, and her grandchildren. She was a "hip" grandmother who keyed in on current events, politics, movies and music. She was unfailingly generous and an amazing conversationalist who had the great gift of making people feel special. Her youthful enthusiasm for life survived the untimely death of her children, Ellen and Raymond Jr., and her own struggle with cancer. She enriched the lives of those who knew her and died as she lived, with strength, grace and dignity.

Josephine will be lovingly remembered by her husband Raymond F. DeVantier of Bethlehem, PA, daughter Andrea and son-in-law Christopher Whitney of East Greenwich RI, son-in-law Michael Desnoyers of Bethlehem, PA, sister Jeanne Gordon of Moscow, PA, and her six grandchildren, Brandon, Kayla, Alexander, Gabrielle, Colin and Grant.

Friends may call at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 2450 Center Street in Bethlehem, PA on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 12:00Pm.

Memorials in Josephine's name may be made to a charity of one's choice.