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Janet Donovan Obituary
Janet lived in Durham for twenty-four years and was a member of United Churches of Durham. She was a graduate of Bryant University, received a teaching degree from Central Connecticut State University, and a masters degree in elementary education from Southern Connecticut State University. She went on to teach at Pond Hill School in Wallingford for twenty-five years and volunteer in many civic groups, including CRHS Scholarship Committee, Parents of Performers, and many athletic booster clubs. Janet loved adventures, traveling, and most of all, spending time with family and friends.
Along with her husband, she is survived by three sons, Mark R. Donovan, Kevin S. Donovan and Shawn M. Donovan, all of Durham; her sister, Suzy Giannotti of North Haven; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 9th at 10:00am at The United Churches of Durham, 228 Main Street, Durham with the Rev. Dr. Elven W. Riggles, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Mica Hill Cemetery.
Friends may call at United Churches of Durham on Tuesday night from 4:00 to 7:00pm and in lieu of flowers, may make donations in Janet's memory to The Janet H. Donovan Memorial Scholarship c/o CRHS Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 120, Durham, CT 06422.
Doolittle Funeral Home, Middletown is handling the arrangements. To share memories or send messages of condolence please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Janet Donovan
Sponsored by Laurie Matz.
Laurie Matz
October 14, 2013
Russ & family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you. Janet will always be your angel.
Laurie, Annie & Brendan Matz
Doreen Smith Bastian
October 12, 2013
So sorry for the loss of your mother and wife and sister . She will always be with you in the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street or the smile in Your laughter and is Christmas morning. She is an inspiration to living life to the moment we are in. A childhood friend of mine since third grade and a positive figure for so many that knew her. May she always glisten and shine upon all of us. May she rest in love and peace.
Jolene Barnes
October 11, 2013
Russ and family
I am so sad. My prayers go out to your family.
Janet was such a great high school friend
I will always cherish our memories of those "good ole days"
Jolene Barnes
October 11, 2013
Russ and family
I am so sad to hear of your loss
My thoughts and prayers are with you all
I will always cherish our great memories from those high school days
Jolene Barnes
Gary Santo Greco (oncology Lab)
October 10, 2013
Russell,
I'm so so sorry to hear of Janet's passing. She always had a smile for me regardless of how she was feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with You and your Family in this time of deep sorrow..
Deb & Don Newell
October 10, 2013
Russ & The Boys - Heaven has gained another Angel. Janet was always laughing and smiling. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
October 9, 2013
Sue, Dom, Danielle and Kyle, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
The Mickolyzck Family
Barbara (Sundermann) Marinelli
October 9, 2013
To Janet's family I offer my deepest sympathies. She was a fun and wonderful friend when we were growing up together in West Haven. The skies will be just a little bit brighter with her shining star above.
October 9, 2013
We are so sorry to hear this news. I always loved seeing Janet, always so sweet and always asking about how our family was doing. We are all so sorry.
Laura Hastings, Bert Plant with Ben, Colin and Rachel.
Robin Smeriglio
October 9, 2013
We are all so sorry to hear of Janet's passing, she was a wonderful person. Janet was not only a high school friend, she was also my younger daughter's 3rd grade teacher! She and Melany had a wonderful bond, she made her feel welcome and loved! Janet came to her dance recital which made her feel so very special. Janet will live on in the memories of her family and her students, all of whom loved her very much.
Mark Hueffman
October 8, 2013
So sorry to hear about Janet's passing. She was a great childhood friend while we were neighbors in North Branford. Many fond memories from so long ago.
Delma Hueffman
October 8, 2013
Janet was a constant visitor in our home in North Branford when she was growing up. I have many fond memories of her and am sorry for your loss. She was an adorable youngster!
Janet Dumont
October 8, 2013
Russ & Family, So sorry for your loss. You will always have the memories.
Dan & Jan
Brian,Mary,Garrett and Tatum Hax
October 8, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Juliette Sansone
October 8, 2013
Dear Russ & family - Please accept our deepest sympathies with the passing of Mrs. Donovan. Our two children, Chelsea & Michael had her as a third grade teacher at Pond Hill School. She was a wonderful teacher and a great influence on their lives. Chelsea always remembered the names of the states through her song and that the word "dessert" has 2 s's because you always wanted 2. She will be missed. Again, our deepest sympathy in your loss.
Sincerely,
The Frank Sansone family
Valerie Vaughn
October 8, 2013
To Janet's family, my condolences to the family. I went to school with Janet and as I'm sure you already know what a sweet person Janet was. We graduated together. Sounds like she had a full life and that's all anyone can ask or hope for....May you feel God's presence during this time!
My deepest sympathy,
Jennifer Altschuler
October 8, 2013
To Russ & the boys, We are so very sorry for your loss. Janet was such a gentle and kind-hearted person. Our thought and prayers go out to you. Love, Jennifer, Lou, Sydney & Ava Altschuler
Michelle Fusco
October 8, 2013
Russ and family,
So sorry to hear of Jan's passing. She was truly a wonderful person and touched so many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Fusco Family
October 8, 2013
Russ and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Janet was a wonderful woman who was always so cheerful and kind. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
- The Giacco Family
October 8, 2013
Janet was the kind of person that always made you feel happy to be around her. It was her smile, her kindess and her warmth. What a loss to her beloved family, friends and community! Russ and boys, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Kerry, Cris, Gretchen and Kelly Donovan
October 8, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Russ and the family.
Sincerely,
Art, Lorrie, JamieLee, Arthur Jr. & Shauna Kiley
Sarah Atwell
October 8, 2013
Russ, Mark, Kevin, and Shawn- I'm so sorry for your loss. Janet was such a kind person. You are in my thoughts.
Chris and Bill Minihan
October 8, 2013
We are all so lucky to have known her. We will miss you, Janet. Russ and boys, we are so sorry for your loss.
October 7, 2013
We are so sorry to hear of your loss; Jan was such a kind person and always ready and willing to help with anything. Keeping you all in thought and prayer.
The Sawicki Family
Michele Tungate
October 7, 2013
Russ, Mark, Kevin & Shawn.. I can't believe that God has called another one of his angels home! Wish I could be there for you! Sending hugs, & prayers to you all! Love ya"
October 7, 2013
Dear Russ, Mark, Kevin and Shawn:
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time and always. Jan was a one of a kind person with a kind heart and soul who touched so many lives. Cherish your memories!
Mike, Donna, Marisa, Morgan and Josh Gudelski
Steve and Becky Tellyer
October 7, 2013
We will always remember Jan's kind smile and warm heart. She will be missed.
Richard & Eileen Aniolowski
October 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the
whole family. Love, Dick and Eileen
Aniolowski
John, Rosanne and Sarah Bugai
October 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Peter Struble
October 7, 2013
Russ, Kevin and the Donovan Family. On behalf of the Wallingford Fire Department please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jean bingham
October 7, 2013
I'm heartbroken as I know you all are. Much love and hugs.
Barbara Grella
October 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. We are deeply sorry for you and your sons loss
Love Bill and Barbara Grella
Cheryl-Ann Tubby
October 7, 2013
Russ and the boys, You are in my thoughts and prayers.
October 7, 2013
To Russ, Kevin, Mark & Shawn,
Janet's essence was all about love and kindness--may sweet memories of the gem that was your wife and mom encourage and help you today and every day.
--The Biesak Family
The Gamelli Family
October 7, 2013
Dear Donovan Family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. Janet was such a beautiful person inside and out who will be deeply missed in our community. Heaven has a new angel.
Allen Fritts
October 7, 2013
Kevin,Russ & Donovan family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Allen
Maureen Kovach
October 7, 2013
Jan was such a beautiful person. She mentored me during my first years of teaching and I always considered her one of my favorite people. My prayers go out to Russ and her 3 sons- Mark, Kevin, and Shaun. Rest in peace Jan. Heaven is a lucky place.
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