Joan Mary Donovan

Born Joan Mary Newkirk in Brooklyn, she graduated from Washingtonville High School in upstate Orange County.

After she and Joseph Donovan Sr. wed in 1955, the couple moved to Meiers Corners. Mrs. Donovan relocated to Red Bank two years ago.

Also a homemaker, she worked at Macy's, and was a secretary at the former Willowbrook State School and at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze. She retired about 15 years ago.

Mrs. Donovan was a hands-on mother described as "warm and wonderful" by her family.

"She told the worst jokes ever, and made us all laugh," said her son, Kevin. "She was the best."

Mrs. Donovan doted on her grandchildren and loved being with them.

She was a talented and accomplished painter, creating portraits and other works. She loved to travel and had journeyed throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as to Canada and Europe.

Mrs. Donovan was a longtime parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh, where she was active in parish and religious life.

Joseph Sr., her husband of 37 years, died in 1992.

Surviving, along with her son, Kevin, are her sons, Joseph Jr., Michael, Dennis and Brian; her brothers, Robert and Charles Newkirk; 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a mass at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Arrangements include cremation.