Anneliese Maria Devine

Anneliese Maria Devine went to be with our Lord on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington after a brief illness. She was 89 years old.

Anneliese was preceded in death by her grandmother, Mariea Marbach, her father, Josef Schwickerath, and her mother, Crescentia Schwickerath. She was also preceded in death by her three brothers, Franz Schwickerath, Gunter Schwickerath, and Werner Schwickerath. Anneliese is survived by Willis Devine, her husband of 58 years, who remains at the family home in Aberdeen, Washington. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Rosemarie Shelton of Mechanicsville, Virginia. Also survived are her children, Saint Julian “Frank” Devine II of Corpus Christi, Texas, Andrea Marie Devine of Aberdeen, Faith Devine of Aberdeen, John Devine of Seattle, David Devine of Lacey, And Mary-Ann Devine, also of Aberdeen; 14 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe all mourn her passing. Anneliese left behind scores of close friends in Aberdeen and throughout Washington and many other states. Indeed, she left behind friends all over the world.

Born Anneliese Maria Schwickerath on July 8, 1935, she was raised by her parents and her beloved grandmother in Wallerfangen, Germany. Anneliese lived happily with her family through her formative years until they were displaced from their home during the height of World War II. Although narrowly escaping death and starvation due to the fighting, Anneliese and her family survived the war and subsequently returned to Wallerfangen until the passing of her father. Once again travelling to dabble in modeling, politics and nurse training. Anneliese would have to return to her family home to tend to and bury her grandmother and mother during her travels. She also became gravely ill. Her illness required her to be treated in Davos, Switzerland, and spent several years recovering. Anneliese would then travel to Munich and worked for Sieman’s, along with her sister. It was while working in Munich that she met Willis Devine as he served in the United States Army’s European Command. A whirlwind courting period saw Willis and Anneliese married in Frankfurt, Germany in October of 1966. She immigrated to the United States in 1967, where her and Willis posted at Fort Lewis, Washington, and had their first child. The moving continued. On to Kansas, Kentucky, back to Fort Lewis, and once again, Germany. Her husband retired from the Army in February of 1978. And, the family of seven spent time on the East Coast before returning to the Pacific Northwest as now, a family of eight. Anneliese made a beautiful home with her beloved family, establishing and nurturing relationships with her community, her faith, and her love. You could always see her face brighten in the company of children, which was a true reflection of herself.

Anneliese balanced her life between her love for the Lord, being an ordained minister of the Gospel. She had many talents, among which were a love for classical music, opera, ballet, gospel music, and crafts. She was an exceptional seamstress, and upholsterer, and could often be found knitting, crocheting, and gardening. Fluent in four languages, she was an excellent travel companion to her beloved husband, she would accompany him on journeys throughout the Northwest and the United States. Often, they would minister together or with others, but always taking time to look out the window to revel in God’s creation. Of the scores of people that she knew locally and around the world, many never knew all the history of her life. Those that did were her best of friends, and she considered herself truly blessed. Indeed, a life well-lived!

Please take a moment to share your memories and notes of condolence for the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.  A small viewing for family will take place on Friday, April 4, at 4:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 AM located at Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington. A private interment will take place at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Arrangements made by Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.