Obituary of Edward Heath Devany

CHAPEL HILL— Edward H. Devany passed away on September 22, 2011 at the age of 81. Born to Mary Hull Wells and Edward Hardy Devany in Norfolk, Va., on August 15, 1930, Ed was a playful and loving spirit. He loved good stories and big productions, beginning with a childhood obsession with the circus. Ed developed his own voice into that of an accomplished writer and director whose works spanned from theatre to early television and, ultimately, social activism. Ed married Mary Langley Peebles on August 22, 1953, in New York City. They shared a love of music, theatre, literature, and their family. They had four children who, until the final days of his life, were the center of Ed's world. He is survived by his best friend of 65 years, Polly Devany, and their children and families: Vicky Devany and David Steinberg, Betsy and John MacLeod (Stephanie, Sarah, and Ava), Charley and Carolyn Devany (Reed and Bonnie), Cathy and Vince Serio (Sofi and Lili).He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Devany Davies. A service will be today at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Cross, Chapel Hill, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chapel of Cross, 314 Franklin St., in memory of Ed Devany.