Emma Katherine Devich (aka) Devcic, born in Portland Oregon on January 12, 1923 passed away of natural causes at the celebrated age of 93 on November 6th, 2016 in Newport Beach, California.

With parents who emigrated from Slovenia, father Anton Salagvarda and mother Albina Salagvarda, Emma was an only child. Her younger sister, Maria, died a few months after birth.
When Emma entered Woodlawn Grade School, speaking primarily Slovenian, she perfected her English. Her love of the strength and elegance of language stayed with her for her lifetime. After graduation from Jefferson High School she later attended business school.
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Emma married Nick Devich (aka Devcic) in Portland, Oregon in 1949, having begun her working career at the Oregon Journal, one of the two major daily newspapers in Portland. Energized by this fast-paced career, she also won the title of Miss Front Page (a beauty pageant) in 1948.

After her two children, son Chris and daughter Toni were older, Emma resumed her career at Multnomah County (Oregon) where she ultimately became the supervisor of the Marriage, Passport, and Licensing Departments. Emma was also deputized as a "Justice of the Peace" for Multnomah County, presiding over and marrying over 1,500 couples.

A life-changing move to Newport Beach, Calif. in 2004 made her childhood dreams of palm trees amid abundant sunshine real; advancing memory challenges and a desire to be near her daughter Toni, brought her to live at the beach she had loved to visit for over 25 years.

Emma was an innately talented cook, and proudly served many of her native country's best dishes to her family. Emma loved to eat great food was curious about world cuisines and in so savoring, was also known as one of the slowest eaters on the west coast! Most enduring though, was her sincerity, warmth and magnetism that drew so many to care for her so deeply.

Emma was predeceased by her husband Nick (1975)
Emma is survived by her son, Chris, his wife Cindi, and grandson Nick, along with her daughter, Toni, and her husband Corey Hansen.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 10:30 am at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 1042 Temple Terrace, Laguna Beach, California.

A Committal Service will be held in Portland, Oregon at the Mt Calvary Cemetery Chapel, 333 SW Skyline Blvd, at 11 am on Friday November 25. She will will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Nick.

Our family extends a very special thank you to the devoted and caring staff of Newport Senior Living in Newport Beach, where Emma enjoyed her last 6 sunny years.

For additional information please contact McCormick and Sons mortuary, 949-494-9415 or visit their website: www.McCormickandson.com