Donovan, Angela L. (Ryan) age unknown, passed away on February 2, 2023, with her beloved sons by her side at Newton Wellesley Hospital. She was the wife of the late John M.P. Donovan of Lawrence and the daughter of the late Atty. John J Ryan Jr and Angela McNamara Ryan of Haverhill. She was a graduate of Salem State University and taught typing and shorthand at Haverhill High School. She and Jack moved to Wellesley in 1968 where she has lived since.
Angela was a great baseball fan. She decorated her home with Red Sox photos of her with Ted Williams, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle instead of fine art. She attended the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park and loved to talk with anyone about her favorite players!
She was a member of Nehoiden Golf Course for many years and loved playing with many fine members. She particularly wants to thank Frank Mutrie, Richard Nickerson, Jack Gibson, and Judge Leonard Shapiro for great summers of fun, conversation, exercise, and drinks.
Angela, although not knowing much about Town Meeting, ran a successful campaign to become a Town Meeting member in her precinct. She had her young sons canvass the neighborhood. Her campaign motto was “Don’t Strike Out! Vote for Angela Donovan!” She had perfect attendance for 15 years—and always voted NO!
Angela wants to thank her neighbors on Fuller Brook for all their help while her boys were young. They were the lifeblood of helping her and her sons Joe and JJ. This includes Don and the late Pauline Tilton along with Peggy and Michael Gigante. Mike and Peggy were on call for late night rides home from Newton Wellesley Hospital. Later, during her illness, she had the help of neighbors on Brook Street: Mary Beth and Brian Mohan, Maura and John Dolan, and Dr. David and Molly Boyce.
In later years, she had the help of her niece, Kathy McQueen. Kathy attended every appointment at the cancer center, bringing homemade sandwiches, company, comfort, laughter, and knowledge of what was going on during doctor visits and infusions.
Her niece, Sharon Benn, called her every night and kept her laughing. They made plans for weekend adventures—they shopped and ate at local restaurants. She found great joy in the time they spent together.
She leaves her sons, JJ Donovan of Olney, MD, and his partner Regina Lee; Joseph Patrick Donovan and his wife Laura of Scituate; her grandchildren Jack and Christian Donovan; her brothers Atty. John J. Ryan III of Haverhill and Joseph F. Ryan; her nephew Michael Benn and his wife Connie; her nieces Sharon Benn and Kathleen McQueen and her husband David; and her grandnieces and nephews Ryan, Timothy, and Caitlin Benn, Geraldine and Bernadette Benn, and Allison, Stephanie, and Sandra McQueen. She was predeceased by her sister Mary Ryan Benn.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482, this Tuesday, February 7, from 4-6 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul’s Parish, 502 Washington St, Wellesley, MA 02482, on Wednesday, February 8, starting at 10 a.m. The interment will be at St. James Cemetery in Haverhill, MA, at a later date.