Mary Louise (Mary Lou) Donovan, 78, of Reading MA passed on peacefully on March 7, 2017 at Lahey Hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Belmont the daughter of the late Robert C. and Mary Louise (Naphen) Donovan.
Her precious memories will be carried on earth by her loving sister Ann-Marie Donovan Babish and her husband Jim, her dearest friend and companion of many years John "Jack" Johnston and his family, Carolyn Allen, JoAnn and Paul Connolly, Amy and Chad Miller and their sons, Taylor and Cameron, who called her "Nana Lou", Leah Notaro, Betty Condon, Kris Dipaola and other friends, neighbors and coworkers.
Mary Lou graduated from Framingham High School in 1956. She went on to Boston University and graduated with a BS in Education and later a Master of Education degree.
Mary Lou began her teaching career at North Reading High School. She taught there for 3 years and then moved to Woburn High School where she taught for 43 years. Upon retirement she said her "favorite memory was receiving the 1975 yearbook dedication for her role as Dean of Girls and math teacher."
Mary Lou was always interested in traveling to new places that she is now free to do at will. She loved gardening, the Red Sox, Brigham's ice cream and had quite a large stuffed animal collection.
The visiting hour will be Saturday, Mar. 18 from 10-11 AM at the Douglass, Edgerly and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) in Reading. The funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 11AM. The burial will be private at a later date.
Donations in her honor can be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA. 01970 or to the MSPCA 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844.