Published in the February 15, 2018 edition.
LYNNFIELD — Maureen Hildegarde (Murphy) Donovan, 93, of Lynnfield and Gloucester, passed away on February 10, 2018.
She was born April 13, 1924, in Taunton. She was a graduate of Framingham State College, with a bachelor of science in Nutrition; honored with the Alumni Achievement Award in 1995 at her 50th reunion. She was a former member of the Ladies Committee of Peabody Essex Museum; American Field Service in Lynnfield; The Wingaersheek Yacht Club of Gloucester (hosting the Chowder Day for over 25 years); Lynnfield Historical Society; Friends of Harvard Celtic Studies (honored with her husband as Celtic Couple of the Year in 2003); and St. Maria Goretti Church choir.
She was active in environmental and civic concerns in her community. She enjoyed collecting antiques, restoring her 18th Century colonial home, following the latest fashion trends, being active in book groups for over 50 years, the Boston Symphony, theater, travel, entertaining, cooking for friends and family, and being at the seashore. She edited a family journal, “Navonod News.” Whatever she did, she did well and pursued with full conviction. Her positive attitude was contagious. Above all she was a passionate mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy is love.
Maureen was preceded in death by parents, Helen Agatha “Bami” (Denault) and Edward Dennis “Bampi” Murphy and siblings Edward D. Jr., Helen Bresnahan, and Charles. She is survived by her siblings Elizabeth Cousin Lerwick, Rosemarie Casey and William Murphy.
She is predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Alfred M. Donovan, M.D. She is survived by their 11 children: Maureen Donovan (James Bartholomew) of Washington, D.C.; Charles S. Donovan of Oakland, Calif.; Lea Watson (James) of Gloucester; Edward D. Donovan, M.D. of Hollis, N.H.; Grant Donovan (Ellen) of Salt Lake City, Utah; Denault Donovan (Sharon) of Lynnfield; Oren Paulin (Justin) of Manchester, Conn.; Shauna Donovan of Clifton Forge, Va.; Ailis Kiernan (Richard Cleggett) of South Weymouth; Tara Canellas (Christopher) of Weston, Fla.; and Simon Donovan (Monica) of San Francisco, Calif. She is also survived by grandchildren Thomas Bartholomew (Cynthia Newell); Yvette, Martine, and Neal Donovan; Keara, Alexander (Samantha), and Fraser (Erin) Watson; Hannah and Jules Donovan; Michael and Selena Donovan; Elizabeth Paulin; Brianan, Danya, and Mairead Kiernan; Katie, Richard, and Dylan Cleggett; Andre (Kristen), Mia, and Natalie Canellas; Declan and Dashiell Donovan. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Nora Watson, Cailan Watson, and Austin Killion. She is predeceased by great-grandchildren Violet and Michela Bartholomew.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Maria Goretti Church, 112 Chestnut St., Lynnfield at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Interment to follow at Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynnfield. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Monday, Feb. 19, from 4 to 8 p.m.
