Jean E. Donovan

Born on July 3, 1922 in East Concord , Jean was the youngest child of John and Mary (LaRochelle) Gatherum.

An accomplished student, she graduated from Concord High School in 1938 at the age of 16. Jean entered the NH State Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1943, and having achieved a perfect score on her nursing boards. She started her career at NH State Hospital as a psychiatric nurse and later became nursing supervisor in the Medical-Surgical Unit. Jean was able to take her passion for nursing to several hospitals, working as a psychiatric nurse at Gardner State Hospital (MA) and as a pediatric nurse at Community Memorial Hospital in Toms River, NJ. Jean returned back to NH to continue her career as a Registered Nurse in the Medicaid Certification Unit of the NH Division of Welfare. She completed her long career in nursing as a nurse consultant, retiring at the age of 79. Jean was proud that she had maintained her nursing license until she was nearly 80 years old.

She treasured her role as wife, mother and grandmother, and was always the nurse at heart. She founded the Future Nurses of America Club at the former St. John’s High School . She was an active member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord .

She was an avid reader, particularly of current events, history, and travel. She loved antiques and collected Victorian furniture. Jean also loved to knit special items for family and for charitable organizations. She toured Europe and made a cross country excursion of the United States .

As a young widow at the age of 50, Jean worked alongside her son, Daniel, in the construction of her new home on Concord Heights . She ordered materials, pounded nails, carried 2 x 4’s and helped shingle the roof. Her energy had no boundaries.

Survivors include her son Daniel E. Donovan, III, and his wife Maureen of Wilton; daughters Jean A. Hoffman and her husband Paul of Toms River, NJ, and Mary C. Lambert and her husband Richard of Hooksett, NH. She also leaves five grandchildren: Amanda M. Donovan, VMD, of Brooklyn , NY ; Daniel F. Hoffman of Philadelphia, PA; Andrew J. Hoffman of Toms River, NJ; Ryan D. Grund of Portland , ME , and Caleigh E. Grund of Boscawen, NH. She also leaves behind her cousin and lifelong friend, Bernice “Bunny” Mahoney, of Concord, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Daniel E. Donovan, Jr. in 1973, by her brother James Gatherum and her sister Elizabeth (Gatherum) Ascough.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 10:30am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church at 180 Loudon Road , Concord , NH . A reception will immediately follow.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to The Friendly Kitchen, P.O. Box 373 , Concord , NH 03301 , the Salvation Army, or a local food pantry of your choice.

The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord is in charge of the arrangements.