Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Mary Eugenie McCabe Devane |
| Also known as | Eugenie Devane |
| Born | May 30, 1940, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA |
| Died | July 29, 2022, La Quinta, California, USA (age 82) |
| Spouse | William Joseph Devane (m. 1961–2022) |
| Children | William “Bill” Devane (deceased), Joshua “Josh” Devane |
| Occupation | Theater producer, arts advocate |
| Known for | Supporting new playwrights; 61-year marriage to actor William Devane |
| Residences | New York City; Los Angeles; Thermal/Coachella Valley, California |
| Interests | Theater, family, equestrian life |
| Notable contributions | Producer with L.A. Playwrights Group; co-produced “Voices” festival in the mid-1990s |
| Final arrangements | Services in 2022 with Forest Lawn-Coachella Valley |
From Florida Beginnings to New York Stages
Born on May 30, 1940, in West Palm Beach, Florida, Mary Eugenie McCabe grew up far from the klieg lights. Little is publicly documented about her early years, a fitting prelude for someone who would later choose the wings over center stage. In the early 1960s, she moved to New York City, the heartbeat of American theater, and there met a young actor named William Devane. They married in 1961, forming a partnership that would span six decades and weather all the twists of show business.
By the late 1960s, as William’s screen opportunities multiplied, the couple migrated west to Los Angeles. Eugenie’s path never courted celebrity; instead, she poured her talent into developing stories and supporting other artists. She became a valued part of the city’s intimate theater ecosystem, where new voices are born one workshop at a time.
Marriage and Family: 61 Years, Two Sons, One Great Loss
In a town notorious for fast romances and faster exits, Eugenie and William Devane built a rare, enduring bond—61 years of marriage, from 1961 until her passing in 2022. He was the more visible partner, known for roles in Knots Landing (1979–1993) and 24 (2005–2010). She was the ballast—present, perceptive, and steadfast.
Their family grew with two sons. The elder, William “Bill” Devane, born in the 1960s, died tragically in a car accident during the 1990s. The younger, Joshua “Josh” Devane, pursued acting with a lighter footprint, making appearances on Knots Landing, Lois & Clark (1993), and Timecop (1997). Through triumph and tragedy, Eugenie kept the family’s compass steady, favoring private resilience over public display.
Extended ties mattered, too. William’s father, Joe, is often described as having served as a chauffeur to Franklin D. Roosevelt—a blue-collar anchor that haunted family lore and grounded their work ethic. Between Albany roots and Florida sun, the Devane-McCabe story braided Irish-American grit with the generosity of a woman who preferred to lift others rather than take a bow herself.
Behind the Scenes: Producer and Arts Advocate
Eugenie Devane’s professional canvas was the rehearsal room, the draft-laden table, the small stage—places where talent is nurtured and dialogue deepens. By the 1980s, she was producing for the Playwrights Group in Los Angeles, helping shepherd new work through readings, workshops, and showcase productions. In the mid-1990s, she co-produced the “Voices” festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, a mosaic of one-acts that spotlighted emerging playwrights and collaborators.
She never chased awards or headlines. Her influence flowed through practical support—scheduling, curating, encouraging—and through a discerning eye for scripts that deserved oxygen. Colleagues remembered her as collaborative and calm under pressure, the person you wanted in the room when a play was teetering on the edge of breakthrough. The result wasn’t a trophy case; it was a lineage of artists who got their first real chance because someone believed in them.
Home on the Range: Thermal Ranch and a Community Table
As William’s career arced through the 1970s, the Devanes put down roots in the Coachella Valley, nurturing a ranch in Thermal, just east of Palm Springs. Horses, open sky, and the slow rhythms of desert life gave the family a refuge beyond call sheets and premieres. The horse world’s camaraderie fit them: disciplined, unflashy, devoted to craft.
In the 1990s, family energies also flowed into a local eatery, Devane’s, in Indio, California. More neighborhood gathering spot than celebrity hangout, it reflected their instinct to build community—good food, familiar faces, stories swapped across red-checkered tables. It’s said the venture echoed the family dynamic: William and his sons shoulder-to-shoulder, Eugenie ensuring that everything felt warm, welcoming, and well-run.
A Life Shared: Numbers and Notes
- 61 years of marriage (1961–2022)
- 2 sons; 1 surviving (Joshua)
- 1 family restaurant launched in the 1990s (Indio, CA)
- 1 long-running ranch life in Thermal, CA
- Household wealth often estimated around $5 million—primarily from William’s acting career, real estate, and business ventures
- 1 mid-1990s theater festival co-produced, amplifying new playwrights
The numbers are simple enough. The texture behind them tells a fuller story: a marriage built like a well-made play—act by act, scene by scene, with dialogue honed by mutual respect.
Loss, Remembrance, and 2025 Echoes
Eugenie died on July 29, 2022, in La Quinta, California, at age 82. Tributes emphasized her kindness, steadiness, and uncommon devotion to both family and art. Since then, mentions of her surface most often in profiles and birthday tributes to William (born September 5, 1939), where their six-decade marriage is celebrated as a model of constancy in an industry built on constant change.
Social media nods in 2025 continue to frame her as a symbol of enduring partnership. No scandals, no noise—just an afterglow of gratitude from those who worked with her or simply admired the way she and William chose to live.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Born May 30 in West Palm Beach, Florida |
| 1961 | Marries William Devane in New York |
| Late 1960s | Relocates to Los Angeles as William’s screen work grows |
| 1970s | Family puts down roots in the Coachella Valley (Thermal ranch) |
| 1980s | Producing work with Los Angeles Playwrights Group |
| 1990s | Co-produces “Voices” festival; family launches Devane’s restaurant in Indio |
| 1990s | Son William “Bill” Devane dies in a car accident |
| 2000s–2010s | Supports family work; William appears in 24 and other projects |
| 2022 | Passes away on July 29 in La Quinta, California, at age 82 |
| 2025 | Remains referenced in tributes and retrospectives of William’s career |
Family Snapshot
| Family Member | Relation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| William Joseph Devane (b. 1939) | Spouse | Actor known for Knots Landing and 24; called Eugenie his “rock” in interviews |
| William “Bill” Devane | Son (deceased) | Eldest; died in a car accident in the 1990s |
| Joshua “Josh” Devane | Son | Actor with credits including Knots Landing, Lois & Clark (1993), and Timecop (1997) |
| Joseph “Joe” Devane | Father-in-law (deceased) | Often cited as a former chauffeur to FDR; an emblem of the family’s working-class roots |
| Kate Devane | Mother-in-law (deceased) | Homemaker who encouraged her children’s pursuits |
FAQ
Who was Eugenie Devane?
She was a theater producer and arts advocate best known as the longtime wife of actor William Devane.
When did Eugenie Devane die?
She died on July 29, 2022, in La Quinta, California, at age 82.
How long were Eugenie and William Devane married?
They were married for 61 years, from 1961 until her passing in 2022.
Did she have children?
Yes, two sons: William “Bill” Devane (deceased) and Joshua “Josh” Devane.
What did she do professionally?
She produced theater in Los Angeles, supporting workshops, festivals, and new playwrights.
Was she ever an actress?
No, her contributions were behind the scenes as a producer and organizer.
What is known about the family restaurant?
In the 1990s, the family launched Devane’s in Indio, California, a local spot that reflected their community-minded approach.
Where did she live?
She lived in New York and Los Angeles, and later at a ranch in Thermal near Palm Springs.
Did she receive major awards?
No, her impact was measured in the opportunities she helped create rather than in trophies.
What is William Devane’s estimated net worth?
Public estimates place it around $5 million, tied to his acting career, real estate, and business ventures.
