Mrs. Elizabeth McHugh Donovan's Obituary
Elizabeth (Betty) McHugh Donovan, a remarkable woman of unfailing grace, charm and intellect, quietly left us on Monday evening, November 14, 2016. Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Thomas J. and Mary M. McHugh, she grew up with two sisters, first in Milton and then Wellesley, and enjoyed the summers in Scituate. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy and attended Trinity College in Washington, DC. After graduating in 1942, she worked at the Underwater Sound Laboratory in Boston as part of the war effort.
On December 29, 1945, she married Charles T. Donovan of Newton, MA. They were happily married for 49 years and took great joy in the family of 12 children they raised together with love, patience and resolve beginning in Newton, MA. In 1974, Betty and Charles moved with 5 children to Norton Shores, Michigan where she has lived for the past 42 years.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles; her sister, Jean McHugh, her son, Chris (Karen) and daughter-in-law, Tricia. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Chickie) M. Broderick of Needham, MA; her 11 remaining children, Brian (Karen), Mary Ann (Bob) Moran, Charlie (Kathleen Lower), Tom, Beth (Patrick Burns), Mark (Katie), Steven (Patsy), Kevin (Sue), Phil (Sally Klingle), Meg (Bryan) Jennings, Priscilla (Rick) Wilcox. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and their families.
Betty’s generosity of spirit was widely admired and seldom matched. Throughout her life she took active leadership roles in her communities, beginning in Newton on Mothers Council, the PTA and helping to create the Newman House as a safe afterschool place for young people. Her celebrated organizational skills and persuasive powers remained successfully engaged in her new home where she was a past president of the Greater Muskegon Service League and active with several arts organizations including the Friends of the Arts, Friends of West Shore Symphony, and Friends of Hackley Library.
A deeply moral person of committed faith, Betty welcomed the stranger and guided the lost with compassion, kindness and common sense. Her open heart and open mind had a profound effect on the lives of several families and individuals she took into her life. Among her extended family are a cherished few; lifelong confidants, honored Aunts and soulmates who shared with her a near century of memories. These friendships enriched her life and continue to touch the lives of her family as an example of what it means to be constant, honest and true.
Betty Donovan’s life was well lived and full of many blessings. We who knew her and loved her best have had our lives blessed in turn.
THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held 11:00 AM Friday, December 2, 2016 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 2929 McCracken St. with Monsignor R. Louis Stasker presiding. VISITATION will be Thursday evening, December 1, 2016 from 5-8 PM at the Lee Chapel, 6291 Harvey St., 231-798-1100.
In lieu of flowers, please consider CFFMC Fund for Women & Children or Harbor Hospice Foundation.
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