Patricia Ann (Downing) Donovan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia A. Donovan, 85, on December 5, 2024, at her home in Springfield, surrounded by family.

Pat and her brother Ted were raised by their mother, Catherine, on Flax Pond in Lynn, where Pat had many adventures with friends and her large extended family. After graduating from St. Mary’s Girls’ High and Fisher Junior College, Pat married her high-school sweetheart, David, in 1963. They moved to Western Mass for Dave’s work and raised their daughters, Maura and Amy, on bucolic Nine Mile Pond in Wilbraham. Summers were marked by swim gatherings on the lake, and winters by skating, sledding, and skiing. Pat welcomed one and all to her home, and made everyone she met feel loved. She developed a strong lifelong bond with her nieces and nephews, godchildren, and the children of family friends, acting as a surrogate mom and support person when needed.

In the late 1970s, Pat discovered her calling as a classroom assistant for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She worked for the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative for 38 years, 30 of which were spent at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. A major part of her role was accompanying students to job placements to prepare them for the world of work. She excelled in this vocational training work, playing a key part in many successful transitions from school to employment. For over thirty years, Pat took a lead role in organizing the Collaborative’s prom and graduation banquet. She was also instrumental in building a community for the students, which met crucial social needs outside of school and after graduation. Not surprisingly, Pat developed valued lifelong connections with many students and their families. In 1994, after attending classes evenings and weekends for several years, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Springfield College.

Pat had an endless capacity to love, a deep faith, a commitment to peace, and strong beliefs in inclusion, belonging, and dignity for all. She brought these gifts to all aspects of her life, including her volunteer work with many local organizations and her parish community of St. Cecilia. Through moves to Stockbridge, Shrewsbury, and Springfield, she made new friends in each place, while continuing to treasure her friends from Lynn and Wilbraham.  And although many will remember her big heart, others will never forget her wild sense of humor. She pulled out all the stops for a laugh, from pranks to April Fools Day jokes. She took great pride in her all-time high of 81 people fooled in one spectacular April morning at Minnechaug.

Pat leaves behind her beloved husband of 61 years, Dave, Springfield; daughters Maura (Lynn), Nova Scotia, and Amy (Chris), Greenfield; grandsons Liam and Ben (the lights of her life); brother Ted (Mary), Beverly; brother-in-law Bill (Linda), Andover; and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors. She was predeceased by her parents and her dear sister- and brother-in-law, Marcia and Bob Lambert.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, December 16, at St. Cecilia Church, Wilbraham, followed by burial in Adams Cemetery, 153 Tinkham Road, Wilbraham, and a luncheon reception. Friends and relatives who cannot attend the reception are welcome to greet the immediate family at the church between 9:45 and 10:45 AM. No flowers please, due to family allergies, but donations in Pat’s memory may be made to her favorite charity, Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org).

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