Barbara Donovan

Barbara Donovan passed away peacefully on August 23, 2018, at The Assumption Village Health Center in North Lima, OH.  Barbara was the youngest child of William and Anna (Nexbouer) Donovan.  Although she lived most of her adult life in New England, Barbara was a native Chicagoan proud of her roots in the city.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, half-sister Marie (the late William) O’Brien, brother William (the late Stephanie) Donovan, sister Agnes (the late Jeremiah) Schmitt, nieces Marie (the late John) Rizzo and Paula Schmitt, nephews Eric Schmitt and Jerry Schmitt, and cousin James (Alice) Conlin.

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by family members including her beloved cousin Barbara (the late Calvin) Bemus, nieces and nephews Virginia (the late Al) Lipinski, Diane (William) Johnson, and Ray (the late Mary) O’Brien, all of Chicago, Patricia (Robert) Swed of Delaware, Gregory (Carol) Schmitt of Maryland, Barbara (Brian) Darcy of New York, and Kathleen (the late Eric) Schmitt of Texas.  She will also be remembered by many grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews, and her friend of many years Cheryle Bartolo.

A former Sister of Charity BVM, Barbara graduated from The Immaculata High School in Chicago.  She held a BS in physics from DePaul University and an MA in educational administration from Salem State College.  She spent many summers studying at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute having received grants from the National Science Foundation.

In addition to teaching physics, Barbara served as principal for both the former Cathedral High School located on Chicago’s Near North Side and St. Mary High School in Lynn, MA.  She also held executive positions with Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. in Washington, D.C., New York, NY, and Boston, MA.

An active community member, Barbara served as president of the Atkinson, NH Garden Club, and, at Holy Angels Parish in Plaistow, NH, directed the RCIA program, served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister, and conducted a Scripture Study Group.

Barbara’s welcoming personality and sunny disposition made her a wonderful educator, administrator, director, mentor, and friend to many.  She was interested in each person as an individual and knew how to draw out the best in all she met.  She will be sorely missed by family and friends.

At Barbara’s request, there will be no calling hours.  A Memorial Mass will be scheduled in Chicago followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery.

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