Patricia "Patty" Ann Donovan

Patricia “Patty” Ann Donovan, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 18, 2023, while on vacation in Naples, Florida.  Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on July 25, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Harold J. "Hap" and Helen Diane (Leary) Donovan.  Patty was raised in Sharon, Massachusetts, where she graduated from Sharon High School with the Class of 1976.  Following her graduation, Patty continued her education, earning her bachelor's degree, with a focus on criminal justice, from the University of Southern Maine in 1980.

Patty's career with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 791, began at Shaw’s Supermarket, working in various positions, ultimately growing into a leader as front-end manager. Patty was a strong union supporter and always advocated for her employees.  Her passion was noted by the union's business office, first offering her a position as office manager. Over the next 33 years, Patty was an Executive Board Member, Business Agent and invaluable member of Local 791’s negotiating team. She spent countless hours devoting herself to the union and all of the members, with pride and fierce loyalty, before her retirement in April of 2020.

When Patty wasn't hard at work, she loved relaxing by the water at one of her favorite beaches.  Some of her favorite places to set up her chair in the sand were Nantasket Beach in Hull, on the shores of Lake Massapoag in Sharon, and more recently on the beaches of Cape Cod, while visiting her daughter and her sister at their homes in Falmouth. 

Kind and fun-loving, Patty cherished time with friends. She looked forward to reunions with classmates from the SHS Class of ‘76, vacations with her girlfriends from college, spending time with her favorite neighbors and simply catching up over good food, fun, music and conversation. The only thing Patty valued more than spending time with friends was being with her family.

Loving mother of Tracey Kimsey and her husband, Sean, of Chelsea.

Devoted sister of Nancy Buckley and her husband, Joseph, of Stoughton and the late Steve Donovan.

Cherished aunt of Kim Koutouvides and her husband, Daki, of Reading, Katie Tolland and her husband, Ian, of Walpole, Lauren Donovan of California, Matthew Donovan of South Portland, Maine, and Emily Donovan of Portland, Maine; and great aunt of Eleni, Aris, Declan, Shane.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Patty's Life Celebration on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Sorrows, 59 Cottage Street, Sharon on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rotary Gifts of Hope, P.O. Box 52, Sharon, MA 02067, https://sharonrotary.org/page/make-a-donation-1