Theresia 'Terry' DeVito CAMDEN - Theresia "Terry" DeVito, 77, of Camden, passed away from this world on Thursday, July 15, 2010, in her home. She was among the love of family members. Born Hideko Nagasawa on Jan. 3, 1933, in Sendai, Japan, Mrs. DeVito came to the states in 1957 after marrying her husband of 57 years, Benny DeVito. She was proud to become a U.S citizen in 1959. Mrs. DeVito was a homemaker who devoted her love and energy to her family. In addition, she was active in her community as a long time Ladies Sodality service member at the Dover Air Force Base chapel as well as a volunteer at the Dover Air Force Base Family Services. She received the 1988 Family Service Volunteer of the Year award for the help she provided to incoming airman and their families, and later, she received special recognition for her services at the Modern Maturity Center . Mrs. DeVito was one of the original members of the Stepping Seniors, and her greatest passion and service was as the leader of the Modern Maturity Cherry Blossoms, a Japanese dance group which has had the honor of performing at events across the state. Not only did Mrs. DeVito take pleasure in instructing the Cherry Blossoms in the art of Japanese dance, she especially took pride in sharing her culture through an art form that was close to her heart. Mrs. DeVito enjoyed singing, gardening and visiting NYC and the beach. She was extremely good with her hands and excelled at sewing, even creating her own drapes and upholstering antique furniture. Mrs. DeVito could create amazing flower arrangements as well as works of origami. She was an outstanding cook, producing a range of dishes from Japanese to Italian. Most of all Mrs. DeVito loved to spend time with her husband, her children and her children's family. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. Mrs. DeVito is survived by her husband, Benny S. DeVito of Camden; her daughter and son-in-law, Tina and Kevin Loftus of Wyoming; three sons and daughters-in-law, Danny and Cindy DeVito of Oxford, N.C., Benny and Lyn DeVito of Milton, Pa., and Michael and Karen DeVito of Camden. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, Jason, Sarah, Danny, Jr., Alex, Jamie, Julia, Michael, Jr, Andrew, Michael, Anthony, Marius and Jenna, as well as a brother, Koshiro Nagasawa of Japan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 S. State Street, Dover. Friends may call from 7-9 Monday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover . Interment will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, Dover. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 . Letters of condolence may be sent, and guestbook signed at
www.torbertfuneral.com.
