Tonya Rae Deveney

Tonya Rae Deveney, beloved mother, sister, and friend for so many, passed away peacefully on December 3rd, 2024 at Paoli Hospital.

She was born on October 18th, 1950, in York, Pennsylvania, and later she settled in the Philadelphia area and then in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She is survived by her cherished children, Ash Doyle and Preva Doyle of Downingtown, Travis Doyle of Norristown, brother Michael Deveney & husband Bill Fry of York, PA, and stepmother Eleanor Deveney of York, PA.

She was also preceded in death by her older brother Rennie Deveney, her father Russell “Mike” Deveney, and mother Jeanne Kimmelman.

Tonya celebrated her 74th birthday with family this past October.

She had a passion for supporting women’s rights causes & served as Vice President and President of the Chester County, PA chapter of the National Organization for Women.

She graduated from Roxborough High School class of 1968. She then earned her Bachelor's Degree from Temple University, which included studying abroad at Temple University’s Rome, Italy, campus where she traveled extensively in Europe.

Her education culminated with earning her Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, under a full scholarship.

After college, Tonya taught elementary school in the Lower Merion School District. She then was a computer programmer in the 1970’s into the 1980’s. Starting in the 1990’s, she had devoted herself to working in community mental health as a Crisis Intervention Counselor, then an Intake Counselor. She had retired at the end of 2016.

Tonya will always be remembered as a loving and caring person who was very dedicated to her family and friends, in addition to her civic causes. She will continue to be loved by many, and missed by others in the community.

Following cremation, services will be at the convenience of the family. A memorial celebration will be planned in the new year.