Alex

The race that Alex DeVinny had with life was cut short by her long-time rival, anorexia nervosa. She lost that race on Sunday, March 5, 2006, when her large and generous heart just stopped beating. She was 20 years old. Alex was born in Racine on October 14, 1985, to Doug and Lana DeVinny. During her brief two decades, she touched many people with her intelligence, humor, courage, and athletic ability. She was recognized as a runner of rare athletic ability, who set course records throughout the state, winning the state championship in the 3200 M race in her junior year. But more than a fine athlete, she excelled academically, graduating with honors from Park High School in 2004 and recruited by many universities. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend as the eating disorder became more controlling. Her love of books, popular culture, Nike apparel, and Steve Madden shoes was legendary. She was also a talented Artist whose interest was in making jewelry created with her handmade lamp work beads. As an eighth grader, she was awarded a WCATY (Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth) Grant to pursue research in hot glass bead making. Most importantly, Alex was a kind, honest, and generous human being, who cared deeply for her family and friends, as well as for social issues and environment. She will forever be missed by the people she touched, but especially by her family. In addition to her parents, Doug and Lana DeVinny of Racine, her survivors include her sisters, Gabrielle (Michael) Fekete of Cary, N.C. and Erika (Colin) Willard of Greenville, N.C.; her nephews, Jared, Colten, and Jack Willard; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the United States. Her two four-legged friends, Baby and Nike are still waiting for her to come home. The service celebrating Alex's life will be held at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 South Green Bay Road, on Saturday, March 11, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Kara F. Baylor officiating. Burial will take place at Graceland Cemetery on Monday, March 13, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday evening from 5 until 8 p.m. for a public visitation. There will also be a visitation in the church on Saturday from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, who will establish something in Alex's name at a later time. Her family wishes to thank the brave efforts of the ER and Intensive Care Unit of All Saints - St. Mary's Medical Center to save Alex's life, especially the caring and skilled nurses, Kerri and Mary Jo. They would also like to encourage those who work in law enforcement, human services, and the justice system to think seriously about the victims of anorexia nervosa and make the effort to care for them in a way that would treat the disorder rather than punish the victim.


Thank you to all of you.
For your prayers and friendship during this time.
It was an incredibly hard week...but the anger is gone, and the good memories have returned.
They were gone for so long...it's nice to have them back.
I missed them so...

Please take some time and read about my sister-
here and here.....

The visitation was amazing.
The line literally wrapped around, and around, and out the door....
So many young girls came through the line and simply said "I didn't know your sister well, but I knew of her, and this is my wake up call. I've been suffering with an eating disorder for years." Cross Country and Track teams from every school from all around the county were there, as a team....coaches as well.

Alex didn't know she touched that many people, of this I'm sure.
I know she felt alone, I know she didn't think anyone cared, including me.
I wish she knew.
I wish we could have had some magic that would have given her the chance to feel the love we all felt on Friday.
Some way she could have seen what we did that day.

Gabby and I are organizing a memorial run this summer.
In her honor.
With the help of her high school coach....
who said...
"I was going to quit coaching after this year...but now I'm going to keep going...because I know I can help someone...I just wish I could have helped Alex."
We want to raise money for awareness...
We need to help others, where we tried to help Alex.
Please plan on coming....
if you can.
I know I speak for Gabby when I say we'd be honored.
I know I speak for Alex when I say she'd be so very very touched.

Thank you.
Love-Erika

ps. Please give Gabby some love right now, things unfortunately became even worse for us all on Saturday. I'll let her explain...but she could use some support.