Devonne Kathy DeFrantz Keevers, March 7, 1948–January 9, 2021

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Devonne was born in Stockton, eldest child of a school-teacher, James DeFrantz, born 1920, and a nursing educator, Roberta nee Dennis, born 1922. Devonne had two brothers, Dale (deceased) and Michael. She lived on Los Angeles Street in Stockton. Her dogs were Sisi, Jeanine, Bubbles and Ebony. As a child she and Dale rode on the back of their family pig.
Devonne had five children, Christopher (1969), Jonathan (1982), Heather (1983), Kimberly (1985), and Matthew (1987).
Devonne’s grandchildren are Anthony Sr., Janessa, Hope, Rodrigo, Jacob, Otis and Philomena. Devonne’s great-grandchildren are Elizabeth, Alfons, Alicia, Victoria, and Anthony Jr.
Devonne received a Bachelor degree from CSUS. She studied bacteriology and cello. As a bacteriology student, she was able to solve problems the instructor couldn’t solve. Devonne could produce accurate answers to calculus problems off the top of her head without using calculus, and she was an ace at solving quick math problems. Once Devonne wrote a musicology paper for the department chair, which was at first rejected because it was too insightful and presumed to be plagiarism, until Devonne provided the instructor with the research notes and it was acknowledged that her work was far superior to the standard of undergraduates.

Shortly before her death, Devonne led the musical arrangement of the pre-Victorian poem “The Virgin” by William Wordsworth (1820), which is renowned for the line “our tainted nature’s solitary boast”; Devonne is credited as the arranger, having specified how the musical form would be adapted with more verses than are present in the original metrical index, the number of syllables of the original Old 124th hymn tune, and Devonne decided how the melody would be adapted, where certain rises and falls would occur; the song is at http://www.sing-prayer.org/anthems-of-the-immaculate-virgin-mary-star-of-the-sea#OurTaintedNaturesSolitaryBoast.
Devonne was a school teacher at Immaculate Conception School, Sacramento, in the early 1990s. During Devonne’s first year as teacher, she had 6 ADHD students in a single second-grade class–it would be remarked that what Devonne didn’t know about ADHD wasn’t worth knowing. Devonne was a humble and resolute truth-teller, insisting on the basis of Catholic teaching that the responsibility for conveying “the facts of life” rests with the parents–and paying the price for her witness without complaint. To the end Devonne was a teacher, really sacrificing her life to help ensure her grandchildren got their education. Devonne was a true hero.
Devonne was President of a small, private non-profit charity, Showers on Wheels, which gave baby showers with car seats, blankets (thanks to project Linus), baby clothes and things, and diapers. Devonne gave parties to 275 Moms at Showers on Wheels baby showers from 2008 to 2015.
Devonne interviewed about Showers on Wheels by Bob Dunning on the Bishop’s Radio Hour on May 25, 2015
Devonne was married to William for 39 years.
“I don’t want to hear cute, I want to hear successful …”
They were married in the Catholic Church, at Sacred Heart Parish on J Street in Sacramento.
Memorial Hymn, Hopes for Devonne’s Release From Purgatory and Entrance into the Beatific Vision
Click the Button to sing the prayer, or play the song in a New Window ⧉
Right Reverend Msgr. H.T. Henry | Nicola A. Montani |
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1. Unto her, for whom, this day; Juste judex ultionis (Just Judge of Retribution) We in love and pity pray; Donum fac remissionis. (Grant her the gift of release) (Refrain) |
Refrain: Pie Jesu Domine, Dona ei requiem. Pie Jesu Domine, Dona ei requiem. (Holy Lord Jesus Grant her rest.) |
2. When at Judgement she shall stand, Rex tremendae majestatis, (Immensely Majestic King) Grant her what Thy love hath planned, Qui salvandos salvas gratis. (Who freely saves the needy) (Refrain) |
3. She hath fought the gallant fight Inter oves locum praesta, (Provide her a place among Your lambs) Lead her on to Heaven’s light Statuens in parte dextra. (Send her to Your right hand.) (Refrain) |

Hymns for the Release From Purgatory of the Holy Souls
Devonne’s Ring – with five fruits of her body

To Get Her New, Best Dog.
Devonne says she loves you.
Devonne, “we saw a meteor shower last night. It was AWESOME! I saw two meteors! Ooh!”
Devonne’s funeral will be held at | |
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 65th and Fruitridge, Sacramento | |
Tuesday | February 23, 2021 |
9:00 | Visitation |
10:00 | Mass |
11:00 | Burial |

