-
Mary Elizabeth Donovan
In Memoriam
On Thursday, August 20, 2020, Mary Elizabeth Donovan, loving wife and mother of four children, after a long battle with dementia, passed away in Placentia, CA at the age of 87. Mary was born on April 6, 1933 in Boston, MA to Herbert and Margaret Heyward. She grew up in South Boston, with her older brothers Paul and Donald, who predeceased her. She attended Gate of Heaven school from kindergarten through 12th grade and became a Registered Nurse after a three-year program at Quincy City Hospital. Mary then moved to Houston, Tx in 1956, and worked as an operating room nurse at Herman Hospital. On October 11, 1958, Mary married James Donovan Jr, the love of her life, at Gate of Heaven Catholic Church, and they raised two sons, James (Tracy) and Patrick (Teresa) and two daughters, Sheilah Lee (Kee) and Meghan Baillargeon (Dan) in Anaheim, CA. Mary was a Legion of Mary volunteer, a Eucharistic Minister and very much enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. Later in life Mary collected figurines and took up toll house painting, producing beautiful artworks cherished by her family and friends. Her husband Jim, children Jim, Pat, Sheilah and Meghan, and seven grandchildren survive her. Because of COVID-19 a limited attendance Mass will be held at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church and a private Burial Service at Riverside Veterans Cemetery will be held on September 29, 2020. In lieu of flowers, her family asks you to please consider making a donation to the OC Alzheimer’s Association."*" indicates required fields