Ann Marie Donovan, 84, Natick Elementary School Teacher

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FRAMINGHAM – Ann Marie Donovan, 84, of Framingham, formerly of Holliston, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on April 27, 2022.

Ann Marie was born on July 27, 1937, in Springfield, MA to the late William and Alice (Gleason) Kenney.

She married the love of her life, Robert E. Donovan on June 25, 1960, and they were married for 38 years until his passing in April 1998.

In her childhood, Ann Marie was a Shirley Temple look-a-like and aspired to be an actress. She won numerous photo contests and appeared in many print ads. In her teenage years, had her own line of paper dolls modeled after her.

Ann Marie attended Framingham State College and pursued a career as an educator, teaching elementary school for over 40 years in the Natick school system. Always ready with a roll of stickers for her students, she loved to teach and spoke of her students often. 

Ann Marie was an impassioned volunteer. After her retirement from teaching, she spent much of her time volunteering in the emergency room at MetroWest Medical Center helping visitors.

During the 17 years as a hospital volunteer, she became known for always having her coiffed hair, her consistent manicured nails, and her bright lipstick. She also spent time volunteering at the local food pantry and working at the polls on election days. She also served for many years as a Eucharistic Minister.  She was a gracious and generous person who never met a stranger choosing instead to treat everyone with kindness.  

Ann Marie was a social butterfly who loved spending time with family and friends.

In December 2020, she moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Framingham, where she loved playing Bingo, participating in the walking club, decorating bulletin boards around the building, and serving as an ambassador to new residents.

She will be forever loved and remembered by her two children, her son Bob Donovan and Ashley Donovan and grandchildren Kelly, Kyle and his wife Shelby, Corey, Colleen and Max O’Donnell and her daughter, Patricia and Thomas Grady, and grandchildren Meagan and Joshua Martin, Shawn and Abby Grady: 3 great grandchildren, TJ, Carson Donovan and Augie Grady, as well as Kelly’s fiancé’ Kevin Clarida and daughter, Jocelyn. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Regina Cacciatore her husband Richard, sister-in-law Janice Donovan, cousins Joyce and Jean Rourke, Peter Luchini, Donna LeClair and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews.

We would like to thank MetroWest Medical Center, MetroWest Hospice and especially Brookdale for their kind and compassionate care of Ann Marie during her illness.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ann Marie’s funeral Mass on Saturday May 21, 2022, at 9 am at St. Mary’s Church Holliston, MA (8 Church Street).  Burial immediately following the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Norton Funeral Home, Framingham.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Ann Marie may be made to Holliston Pantry Shelf (73 Charles St, Holliston, MA 01746) and The ALS Association Massachusetts Chapter (685 Canton St, St. 103, Norwood, MA 02062), organizations that were close to Ann Marie’s heart.

To leave a message of condolence and sign the guestbook please visit www.nortonfuneralhome.com

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