Owner/breeder Charlotte DeVan, 92, passed away on Tuesday, January 1 at her home with her loving family by her side.
Born August 30, 1920, in San Antonio, Texas, Charlotte was the daughter of the late Lawrence B. and Charlotte Newton Sheppard. Charlotte was the loving wife of the late William Todd DeVan, II, MD, who died September 6, 2002.
Charlotte enjoyed racing and breeding standardbred horses and was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Hanover Shoe Farms.
Charlotte graduated from Harcum Junior College, Philadelphia. Having a strong sense of patriotism, Charlotte was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she held the title of former State Regent. She was a member of the Colonial Daughters of the 17th Century, the Order of the Crown of Charlemagne, and a longtime member of the Hanover Country Club. Charlotte was a founding member of the former St. Vincent's Catholic Elementary School PTA.
Charlotte enjoyed spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. Charlotte is survived by three sons, Lawrence Sheppard DeVan and his wife Ann of Greenwich, Conn., William Todd DeVan, Jr. and his wife Melody of Marlton, N.J., and Russell Newton DeVan and his wife Karen of Scottsdale, Ariz.; seven grandchildren, Jennifer L. DeVan, Nathan R. DeVan, Stuart Todd DeVan, Elizabeth Sheppard DeVan, Brian M. Connors, Jeffrey S. Connors and Brooke Austin DeVan; and two great-grandchildren, Grace Elizabeth Connors and Ellie Hannah Connors. She was preceded in death by one brother, Lawrence Baker (Sonny) Sheppard, Jr. and two sisters, Alma S. Tolhurst and Patricia S. Winder.
Funeral arrangements are private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Charlotte's memory to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, c/o Memorial Hospital, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065; or to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678. The Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc., 269 Frederick St., Hanover, is assisting the family with the funeral arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at kenworthyfh.com.
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Charlotte DeVan.
(Hanover Evening Sun)