William "Bill" Donovan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" Donovan on August 13, 2023 after a short battle with lung cancer. Bill is survived by his loving wife Marnie Johnson Donovan; mother-in-law Elaine Johnson; sister-in-law Kirstyn Cogan (Wes); siblings Tom Donovan, Mary Putnam, Patti Donovan-Skweir (Tonio); and sister-in-law Maryam Santa Croce.

His nieces & nephews Sean (Ali) and Alanna Putnam; Alex (Alex & grandniece Elliott) and Camille Skweir; Lily and Abby Donovan; as well as many cousins in the Donovan and West families also survive Bill. He was preceded in death by his parents Eleanor & Laurence "Larry" Donovan; older brother Dennis; brother-in-law John Putnam; and father-in-law Jerome Johnson.

Bill was born on January 22, 1955 in San Francisco. He grew up in Millbrae, attended St. Dunstan's school and Serra High (1973), he graduated from Chico State University with a BS degree in Ornamental Horticulture. Bill had a "green thumb" and his career followed many paths in the nursery business, including greenhouse management, wholesale & retail sales, most recently at Flowercraft Garden Center in San Francisco.

Bill met Marnie while working for the same company maintaining decorative indoor plants in commercial settings. Marnie was the love of his life; they were together over 30 years, and married in 2007. They shared many common interests and enjoyed their life together in Pacifica.

Memorial donations may be made to: the Pacifica Gardens, an urban agricultural project at 830 Rosita Road, Pacifica, CA. The non-profit started in 2008, a biointensive food garden, native plants, and a community food donation program giving the food grown back to local families in need. Mail a check, payable to: Pacifica Gardens P.O. Box 883, Pacifica, CA 94044. Or donate online, https://www.pacifica-gardens.org/contact/donate. Please add a note that the donation is in memory of Bill Donovan.