Barbara A. (Trepaney) Donovan passed away peacefully at the Lowell General Hospital with loved ones by her side on December 31st. She was 82.
Barbara was the loving wife of 31 years to her late husband, former Medford teacher and principal J. Barry Donovan. She was the loving and devoted mother of her son Jay Donovan of Scituate and daughter Kristin Burns and her husband Gerry of Tyngsboro. Barbara was also the loving mother of her late daughter Kimberly who passed away in 2021. In addition to her children, she was the proud and loving “Gram/Grammie” to Brenna Donovan, Ciára and her wife Allie Burns, Aislinn Burns and her fiancé Stu Savelle, and Christopher Burns. Barbara was the great grandmother of Lillian Harper Burns.
Barbara was the daughter of the late James and Frances (Quinn) Trepaney of Malden and Medford, and the loving sister of Patricia Coye and her late husband Tom of Billerica, Marie Culleton of Melrose, Jim Trepaney and his wife Linda of Sandown, NH (formally of Reading) and Donna Trepaney of Malden. She was the sister-in-law of MaryJane Donovan and her late husband, former Medford Police Officer Charles V. Donovan Jr., of Malden and Medford, Barbara was predeceased by her sister Jean Curran. She also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members, and lifelong friends. Her presence will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her in their lives.
Barbara was a graduate of Malden Catholic Girls High School, and last employed as a senior administrative assistant in the Cardiology Department at Mass General Hospital. Before that she was a long time employee of Tufts University in their Chemistry & Medical Schools.
Barbara was a gentle soul with a huge heart and not a mean spirit in her body. She was truly one of a kind, always thinking and doing for others. Barbara quickly gained the adoration of anyone who came in contact with her simply for just being genuinely nice. She loved her grandchildren and was present for any and all of their extracurricular activities and achievements. Barbara had a great sense of humor, and was an avid Patriots fan. She was very happy to watch the Patriots capture one last AFC East title this past Sunday.
Visiting hours will be held in the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford Thursday, January 8th from 4 to 8 PM, and again on Friday, January 9th at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 441 Fellsway West, Medford, at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Services will conclude with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Activities Fund at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Barbara Donovan’s name: 254 Billerica Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824.