Mary Elizabeth Donovan-Thomas (1960-2023)
The world lost a bright light, a dear sister, a beloved auntie, and a loyal friend on December 3, 2023, when Mary Elizabeth Donovan-Thomas left this earth after a brief, but mighty battle with cancer.
Mary was born and raised in Roslindale, MA, attended St. Clare High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Bridgewater State College and worked in publishing early in her career. Mary loved music from early in her life, her passion started with playing the clarinet in the Sacred Heart Marching Band and continued throughout her life. You could always count on Mary to know the lyric to a song or find the right music for the moment.
Mary loved the challenge of life and lived her life with kindness and purpose. She lived in many places overseas throughout her life and found ways to connect locally from her volunteer work at orphanages in Taipei, Taiwan to helping to address the issues of stray animals in Athens, Greece.
She was blessed with lifelong friends throughout her life, whom she treasured. Mary was known to “collect” friends and once you were part of Mary’s circle, you were a friend for life. She brought laughter and joy to all she encountered.
Mary is predeceased by her beloved parents, John and Joan Donovan, her dear, sweet niece, Elizabeth Racicot and her treasured rescue dog, Joy.
Mary is survived by her large family who loved her beyond words, including her six siblings and in-laws, John Donovan, Jr., Thomas & Terri Donovan, Jean Racicot, Kathleen & Darwin Moore, Theresa & Patrick Golden, and Carol & Eric Juel. Mary was known as “Auntie Mimi” to her nieces and nephews who cared deeply for her including, Thomas & Olivia Donovan, Kaitlyn Donovan, Michael Donovan, Elizabeth Racicot, Margaret Racicot, Caroline Moore, John Moore, Coleen Golden, Erin Golden, Fiona Golden, William Juel, Cecelia Juel, and Henry Juel.
Mary is also survived by her former husband of many years, Alvin Thomas.
Mary will be profoundly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know her and admired forever as a dear sister, caring friend, good listener, and favorite auntie.
Visiting hours will be held at Gormley Funeral Home at 2055 Centre Street in West Roxbury, MA on Friday, December 8 from 5-8 P.M. Funeral from the funeral home on Saturday, December 9 at 8 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass celebrating Mary’s life at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 169 Cummins Hwy in Roslindale, MA at 9:30 A.M. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery.
The family suggests those who wish to make a donation in Mary’s honor consider the Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) as animals brought Mary immense joy throughout her life. https://www.mspca.org/. For directions and guestbook gormleyfunera.com.