Joan Frances Donahue

July 15, 1926 - May 05, 2024

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Obituary for Joan Frances Donahue

Joan Frances (McEachern) Donahue, 97, of Milton and OFD passed away Sunday May 5, 2024.

Joan was raised in Dorchester, MA and earned her associate degree at the Garland School - Class of 1947. She worked for the Boston Gas Company in the test kitchen before she was married to Ted in 1952 at St. Elizabeths Parish in Milton.

She remained continually devoted to her family, the church, and her community. Joan was awarded the Cheverus Award in 2015

Joan will be remembered for her generous heart, kind soul, keen wit, and laughter.

Beloved wife of the late Theodore Charles Donahue. Loving mother of A. J. Donahue and his wife Veronica of Plympton, Ted C. Donahue, Jr., of Avon, Paul G. Donahue and his wife Jamie of Dennisport, Julie Lavin and her husband Donald of Northborough, Joan Ward of Quincy, Joseph Donahue and his wife Lee of NC and Maria Crossley and her husband Ric of Dennisport. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by her parents Arthur J. and Mildred F. (Tagen) McEachern and her twin brother Paul McEachern and her sister Maria Rayl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish, Saint Elizabeth Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, Friday May 10 and 10:00 AM. Family and friends invited. Inurnment at Milton Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may go to: Alzheimer’s Foundation, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011

Services

10 May

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 AM

Our Lady of the Visitation Parish (Saint Elizabeth Church) 350 Reedsdale Road Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • May 08, 2024

    Anne Fidler

    Joan was one of the most wonderful women I have ever been honored to have in my life. Growing up across the street from the Donahues was like having a second family (with a built-in electrician/plumber/handyman with Ted). Joan was so loving to all of us Fidlers, with a smile and a hug (and a snack). My mom Lenore knew how lucky she was to have Joan in her life. Not only were they the best after-Mass buddies, chatting with each other standing on the sidewalk between their houses in the rain, cold, or heat. (I asked Mom why they didn't just go into one of their kitchens. She said they didn't want to commit to spending much time, even though they could and did talk for hours.) My mom used to tell us that she truly didn't know what she would have done without Joan after our dad died. My mom had to go back to work, and Joan volunteered to take care of my "baby" brothers before and after school. She was always there to help take care of all of us. We loved her deeply and will always consider her our second mom. Much love to all her family and friends. We have lost one of the really good ones.