Mary Lu Donovan

Mary Lu Donovan, passed away peacefully in the presence of her loving family on July 26, 2025. Beloved spouse of Richard Collins for nearly 49 years. Devoted mother to Rich (Erin Kelly), Christopher (Yazmin Lopez) and Elizabeth (Tunde Fatiregun). Tender grandmother of Fern, Stone, Canyon and a little one on the way. Treasured sister of Paulette (Steve Herman), Sukantika, Tim (Mary Phelan), John (deceased), Tom (Geralyn), Fran (Sean Shaffer), and Sue (Joe Minogue) and loving aunt to a gaggle of adoring nieces and nephews. Born in Chicago on December 13, 1951, to John and Marian Donovan (both deceased), she married the love of her life on September 3, 1977.

Mary Lu was a trailblazing medical professional ahead of her time, a powerhouse of love and the embodiment of strength, generosity, authenticity, warmth and humor. She exemplified care, compassion and connection-pillars of a heart that beat for others before herself.

She had an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a passion for travel and a deep-rooted desire to heal and serve others. Her extraordinary journey in health care began at just 14 years old, when she volunteered as a candy striper at Loretto Hospital in Chicago. That spark of service ignited a lifelong dedication to healing, teaching and giving.

She attended Notre Dame High School, earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from Loyola University, and soon after traveled to London to study under and work with Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement. Always at the forefront, she embraced the opportunity to become a nurse practitioner early on, earning her Master of Science in Nursing in Pediatrics at Rush University and obtaining numerous medical licenses, certifications and designations-each one a testament to her relentless pursuit of excellence and belief in the power of education.

Mary Lu's career spanned decades and disciplines. She began her nursing career in the NICU, served as unit leader of pediatric oncology at Rush Medical Center, worked in pediatric pulmonology at Morristown Medical Center and taught the next generation of caregivers as a professor of nursing at Seton Hall University, among many other roles.

Her service extended far beyond hospital walls. Mary Lu volunteered tirelessly throughout her life-contributing endless hours to her children's schools, leading bereavement groups and working with a prison writing program, to name a few. Known affectionately as the "town doctor," she was on call for family, friends and neighbors, offering advice, comfort and care no matter the hour. For countless family members and friends, she served as an unofficial hospice nurse, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to ensuring that both patients and their loved ones were informed, empowered and comfortable throughout their end-of-life journey.

There was nothing Mary Lu wouldn't do for her family-or anyone else. Loving, selfless and generous beyond measure, she was a guiding beacon of light when things seemed their darkest, a shining example of unwavering positivity and a life well-lived. She was happiest when surrounded by loved ones-preferably outdoors in nature-and she reveled in the laughter and love of her children and grandchildren.

She endured a long and incredibly painful illness with graceful strength and without complaint. In an ultimate act of selflessness that surprised no one who knew her heart, Mary Lu donated her body to the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University, where she will live on and continue her legacy as a teacher and mentor, as a source of inspiration and benefactor for the greater good.

Mary Lu's life reminds us that love is not a feeling but a practice-showing up, serving others and honoring the sacred worth of every human being. When asked what she wanted to be remembered for, her answer was simple: her love. She loved with her hands through healing, with her mind through teaching, with her presence through listening and with her whole being through a lifetime of putting others first.

Though she has left this earthly realm, the love she planted in countless hearts will bloom for generations to come.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Kaleidoscope of Hope-Ovarian Cancer Foundation or Owl Moon Raptor Center