Sister Grace Donovan Susc

SISTER GRACE DONOVAN, SUSC, (Sister Therese Anna) Died in Fall River on April 9. She was the daughter of the late Cornelius and Mary Ellen (Grandfield) Donovan. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her sister, Helen Scholl of Somerset, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Her brothers John, William, Neil, and sister Mary Walmsley predeceased her. Sr. Grace graduated from the former Sacred Hearts Academy, Fall River. She entered the Holy Union Sisters in 1938. She received a B.A. degree from Manhattan College, New York, an M.A. from Boston College and a Ph.D. from Boston College. She also studied at Oxford University and the University of Paris. Sr. Grace was principal of the former St. Mary High School, Taunton and taught history at Boston College and Lowell State College. Sr. Grace was Provincial Superior of the Fall River Province from 1971-1974 and Dean of Students at Regis College, Weston, MA from 1974-76. She served as archivist for the Fall River Province from 1979-1999. From 1980 to 1997 she was a member of the campus ministry team of Stonehill College, Easton, MA. In 1997, she became congregational archivist for the Holy Union Sisters in Rome. From 1999-2005 she served as co-archivist for the newly-formed United States Province. Sr. Grace was an active member of the American Historical Society, the Society of American Archivists and the New England Archivists of Religious Institutions. She published a book entitled, Beginnings, Holy Union Sisters in the U. S. A., and a history of the foundation period of the Holy Union Sisters: Holy Women on Holy Ground. In 2005, she retired from full time ministry. Up until the time of her death, she continued to do research and write articles for the province newsletter. The wake will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2009 at the Waring-Sullivan Funeral Home, 178 Winter St., FALL RIVER followed by the Vigil service at 4 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary's Cathedral at 5 p.m. Burial will be April 14 at 9 a.m. in St. Patrick Cemetery, Fall River. Donations may be made in Sister Grace's memory to: The Holy Union Sisters Mission Advancement Office, PO Box 410, Milton, MA 02186-0006