It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Alberta Bernice Devoe. Alberta passed on Saturday, June 27th, 2026, at the age of 85, at the Northside General Hospital. She was surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Balls Creek, October 2nd, 1940, Alberta was the daughter of the late Samuel and Bernice (Ball) Burns. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Alberta worked in cosmetics for twenty-five years at Shoppers Drug Mart in North Sydney. She was also a faithful member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.

She leaves behind a family who adored her: her son Richard (Mary) Devoe and daughter Bernice (Chris) Osmond; her treasured grandchildren Emily (Nick) Walsh, Christopher (Emily) Osmond, Jeffrey (Georgina Hatcher) Devoe, and Kate Devoe; and her precious great-granddaughter, Madelyn Grace, who brought her immeasurable joy and whom she loved with all her heart; a great-granddaughter expected to arrive in October; and Madelyn's little sibling, expected in February. Though she was not able to meet her newest great-grandchildren, they will grow up surrounded by the love she helped create. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law; Phyllis “Girlie” MacKinnon and Muriel Burns, brother-in-law Henry O’Shea and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Alberta was predeceased by her beloved husband, Gerald "Buddy" Devoe; her cherished granddaughter, Tara MacLean; her sisters, Clara (Gilbert) Cooke, Helen (Harold) Hardy, Alice Faye O'Shea, and Edna Jane Burns, who died in infancy; her brothers, Franklin (Sylvia) Burns and Robert Burns; her sister-in-law Leona (Owen) Bryden; and brothers-in law John and Archibald Devoe.

Alberta lived a life centered on faith, family and simple pleasures. She found happiness in dancing, skating with Buddy, walking at Munroe Park and spending time at the Northern Yacht Club, enjoying her family’s love for sailing. Above all, her greatest joy was the time she spent with those she loved most– her family. Alberta’s beautiful blue eyes, kind heart and warm smile are unforgettable. Her unwavering love touched each and every one of us.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing she has been reunited with those who went before her. Her love will live on in the hearts of her family and all of those who were fortunate enough to know her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Visitation for Alberta will be held Thursday, July 2nd from 6-9 pm in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday July 3rd at St. Joseph Church, North Sydney with Rev. Doug MacDonald officiating. Burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney. Online condolences may be left for the family on the tribute wall at www.wjdooley.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Haley Street Society.  

Following the funeral and burial a reception will be held at the Northern Yacht Club, Seaview Drive, North Sydney.

“A mother holds her children’s hands for a while, their hearts forever.”