Wilmington Woman Killed In Crash Remembered As 'Generous, Loving'

WILMINGTON, MA — Roberta Sausville Devine, 68 of Wilmington, was remembered by family and those who knew her as loving and generous after her tragic death Friday when an MBTA train hit her car.

"Robbi was determined, passionate, ambitious, and accomplished," an obituary posted by Lynch Cantillon Funeral home Monday read. "She had the most beautiful soul with generosity and compassion beyond compare. Her loving, sweet and contagious personality will be sorely missed by all —local communities, coworkers, family, and friends."

"Roberta Devine Sausville was small in stature but her voice and her heart were the size of a giant," the North Reading-based choral group the Ipswich River Community Chorus said of her. "We will truly miss your presence and will honor your memory as we start a new season. Fly high as you sing with the angels. Rest in Power, Roberta."

Devine's stepson James Devine shared family photos of Roberta, who went by Robbi, with her family.

According to her obituary, Devine grew up in Bennington, Vermont then spent two decades living in London after high school.

"Upon her return to New England, she began a college education at Johnson State College, later receiving a degree from Labouré College of Healthcare in neurodiagnostic technology," the obituary continues. "She worked as an EEG technician in Veterans Affairs facilities in the Boston area, committed to health care up until her recent retirement in September 2021."

In addition to singing, Devine was extremely talented in areas including sewing, baking, home repairs and acting. She performed in the choir at the Thomas-Villanova Church in Wilmington as well as with the Ipswich Community Chorus.

“A lot of people are going to miss her,” her stepson James Devine told the Boston Globe Sunday.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas-Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington MA on Monday at 10 a.m., followed by Devine's interment in Calvary Cemetery in Winchester.

Donations may be made in her memory to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

>>Read the full obituary.

Update: The date of Devine's funeral mass has been changed due to predicted severe weather. This story has been updated to reflect the new date.