Donna J. Donovan

Donna enjoyed her childhood in Boston, and remained close to her siblings and childhood friends her entire life. Her first job was at Sun Oil, which became Sunoco. She frequently lamented selling her shares in the company at a later date.

Donna loved her time at Mission High. She recounted happy times there, and she shared on more than one occasion that she won the award for fastest short-hand; clearly she was of a different era. 

She met Larry, Sr., through her sister. She wed at the “old age” of 27. Two children came soon thereafter, Larry, Jr., and Maureen. Her third, Diane, came a tad later. She often said throughout her life, “I would do anything for my kids.” She did. Eventually, as Diane became of school-age, Donna returned to work, starting as a secretary/receptionist at Derry Bank and Trust (sometimes answering the phone, “Berry Dank and Trust”). She moved her way up at DB&T, eventually becoming Senior Loan Officer. She seemed also to have earned the unofficial titles of “Bowling Party Coordinator” and “Toasted Almond Orderer.” She established many long-lasting relationships at work, and retired from the bank in the early 90’s.

Donna had a penchant for collecting, starting with Hummels, many of which she inherited from her Aunt Helen. She then collected teacups; both of these collections ended when the shelves became too full. After Larry, Jr., returned from a high school trip to Spain with one piece of Lladro, within a few years the statues numbered in the dozens. Donna’s family might have caused the burgeoning of the collections because Donna refused to share ideas about what she might want for birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day or Christmas.

Donna returned to Dorchester and then Quincy for a while, and moved to Hooksett, NH, to reside with Diane and her son-in-law Jeff, who became a fourth child. She traveled to the Boston area frequently to visit family and friends, especially her beloved Aunt Babe, and her four siblings. They all loved telling stories of growing up on “the Hill,” though the next generation got the sense that some stories were cleaned up a bit. As Donna became less mobile, she enjoyed reading, completing her crossword puzzles, and watching enumerable Hallmark Channel movies as well as Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She also succeeded at being the chief-cook-and-bottle-washer at 151 Merrimack Street. She loved to cook for her children, and took every opportunity to include as much cheese and butter in a dish as possible. Broccoli Bake, a long-term tradition at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals, was made almost entirely of Ritz crackers, butter and Velveeta, with just a hint of green vegetable.

Donna was proud of her children, all of whom graduated college – eventually – and became financially independent. Generous almost to a fault, Donna ensured that each child received the identical amount each Christmas from Santa – to the penny. “I love all my children equally,” she would say. Donna did manage to slip each child on occasion “a few extra bucks” when times called for it. She also became the grandmother to Diane and Jeff’s dog, Emmie.

As Alzheimer’s took more control, Donna had to rely on those who loved her for help; this was a position of discomfort since Donna had always been the caretaker to others. Eventually Donna moved to a facility in Quincy, MA, to be closer to her sisters. They and their children visited every day; Maureen, Diane, Jeff and Larry, who lived farther away, visited whenever they could. In the end, Donna passed away surrounded by the people she loved.

She will be remembered for her love of taking care of others, including cooking and keeping in touch with loved ones near and far. Admired for her grammar and impeccable English (no to mention her penmanship), Donna will also be remembered for her facility with words. Lastly, and especially as she got older, Donna loved all things purple and every iteration of the color.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.