LACONIA --- Mary Jean (Keast) Donovan, 85, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a brief illness at Concord Hospital-Laconia.
Mary was born on May 11, 1940 to Lynn and Edna (Nault) Keast in Marquette, Michigan, where she lived throughout her school years. After graduating from Bishop Baraga High School in 1958, Mary went on to work as a secretary in the Education department at Northern Michigan University. There, in 1962, she met her future husband, Robert F. Donovan, who was a student athlete. Mary and Bob were wedded on August 31, 1963 in Marquette, and were happily married for over 62 years.
After spending two years in Detroit, Michigan, Mary and Bob moved to Manchester, NH. Their sons Mike and Jerry were born in Manchester in 1968 and 1970, respectively. In 1979, the family moved to their forever home in Laconia, NH. While raising her two sons, Mary also worked at various jobs, including the Town of Gilford, Central New Hampshire Employment Agency, and The Plant Petaler.
Mary will be remembered fondly as a very generous, loving, kind and caring person. She enjoyed spending time with her family, and adored her five grandsons – Shane, Kyle, Jake, Colin and Brady Donovan. Every opportunity to gather with family and friends included her homemade meals and plenty of appetizers! Mary loved gardening and was known for her green thumb. She also was an avid reader, photographer and bird watcher, and loved music and dancing. Mary was a strong supporter of Boston sports teams, in particular her beloved Boston Celtics.
Mary and Bob loved to travel. They made two trips to Ireland, several family trips to Michigan, and spent many winters in Fort Myers Beach and New Smyrna Beach, Florida as well as North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Along the way, they made many long-term friendships wherever they went.
Mary is survived by her son Mike and fiancé Dawn, son Jerry and wife Christine, her five grandsons, three sisters-in-law, and many cousins, nieces and nephews -- who all love her dearly! She was predeceased by her loving husband Bob, who passed away in January 2026, and by her brothers Tom Keast and Bob Keast.
Calling Hours will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Memorial Service for both Bob and Mary will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Taylor Community, where Mary enjoyed participating in water aerobics classes. Checks can be made to Taylor Community ATTN: Fund Development, 435 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246; in memory of Mary Donovan; or online
https://www.taylorcommunity.org/giving/.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.