Mary Jeanne Donovan

Mary Jeanne Donovan, 90, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, leaving behind a rich legacy of love, faith, and family. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 19, 1936, to the late J. Edward and Elizabeth Fixari, Mary Jeanne grew up surrounded by a strong foundation of family values.

She was a proud graduate of Nazareth Academy High School and went on to attend Saint Teresa Campus (College of Saint Teresa) in Winona, Minnesota. In 1957, Mary Jeanne married the love of her life, Thomas G. Donovan. Together, they built a life filled with adventure and shared memories as they lived in numerous locales across the country.

Mary Jeanne dedicated her life to her family as a devoted homemaker, wife, and mother. After many wonderful years of raising her family, she and Thomas retired to Dunnellon, Florida, where she embraced her passion for golf as an avid player at the Rainbow Springs Golf Club. Following the passing of her beloved husband, Mary Jeanne moved to Olive Branch, Mississippi, to be near family.

A woman of deep and enduring faith, Mary Jeanne was an active parishioner at Saint John Catholic Church in Dunnellon, Florida, and later at Saint Michael Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mary Jeanne was preceded in death by her parents, J. Edward and Elizabeth Fixari; her beloved husband, Thomas G. Donovan; her sister, Bettie Jung; her brother, Edward Fixari; and her daughter-in-law, Mary Donovan.

She is survived by her three loving children and their spouses: Kevin P. Donovan (Rose) of Magnolia, Texas; Mary Beth Bedford (David) of Springfield, Illinois; and David E. Donovan (Darlene) of Olive Branch, Mississippi. She also leaves behind her cherished granddaughters—Jennifer Dumovich, Melissa Montgomery, and Stephanie Thomson—along with six great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to her life.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Collierville Funeral Home in Collierville, Tennessee. Funeral services will take place at Saint John Catholic Church in Dunnellon, Florida, followed by burial at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Dates and times for all services are currently to be determined.