Marita G. Donahue

Marita Glynn Donahue, 89, of Mashpee MA, died peacefully on June 30, 2025, surrounded by her family. Her death closely followed that of her partner, Jim Delay, on May 8, 2025. While she will always be missed, we know that Marita and Jim are happily planning their next adventure together.
Mom was born to Rita and George Glynn of Norwood MA on December 20, 1935. She was a graduate of the Holy Family High School, of New Bedford, MA, Class of 1953 and the Boston College School of Nursing Class of 1957, only the sixth class to be graduated from the BC nursing program! While working at the National Institutes of Health in Washington DC, where she served as a Junior Nurse Officer in the Public Health Service, she met and married Dr. Thomas C. Bithell in 1960. A Rhodes Scholarship took them to England for a time, after which they returned to Salt Lake City to teach at the University of Utah. In Salt Lake, Mom was clinical nursing faculty at the Holy Cross Hospital and it was here that her children Lisa (1961) and Gregory (1964) were born.
Mom returned to Massachusetts in 1965, where she worked at Brockton Hospital until she began teaching medical surgical nursing at Massasoit Community College. During this time, she completed an M.S. Degree in Education from Bridgewater State University. Many nurses graduating from this program continue today to appreciate Marita's willingness to hold the bar high for her students. She held the bar high for herself as well, graduating with a second M.S. in Nursing Practice in 1991. She retired from teaching in 1994, to proudly work as one of the first Adult Clinical Nurse Practitioners in the U.S. until she officially retired in 2005, and was a founding member of the Metro South Region of the Mass Coalition of Nurse Practitioners.
Mom married Daniel J. Donahue in 1968 and became mother to a larger family including his children. She particularly grew close to John, whose daughters Mary Theresa and Lizzie later spent many a happy hour with Nana. Numerous wonderful trips to ski in New Hampshire with Uncle Jimmy and Aunt June and swim at Lake Sunapee and Cape Cod followed. Innumerable trips were also made to visit with Mom's college roommate, Maureen Burgess, and her family. During these years, Mom learned to ski downhill as an adult (not an easy trick). At this time, Mimi Morey joined the household, while a student at Smith College, becoming Mom's lifelong friend. Skip Barton, Greg's best friend since grade 2, and his family also joined the tribe at this time. A friend describes Mom in those years as having one hand stirring the dinner while the other arm was full of laundry, all while chatting on the phone! Mom served as a member of the Brockton Symphony Board and became a friend to many members of the extended Donahue family. She agreed to host an international student from Brandeis University; Claus Wunderlich became Marita's adopted son and she became the American grandmother to his daughters Eva, Kathi, and Christina. His wife Christa has remained close to Marita since this time and was with her just prior to her passing.
As she began her practice as an NP, working fast track in the ER and for clinical practices in FL and MA, Mom had some adventures. She traveled to Alaska, where she served native villages for a short time. She also traveled to visit with Claus' family in Germany; to Montana to visit with Lisa's family and camp with all four of her granddaughters in Yellowstone; and to Florida, where she owned a second home in Bonita Springs. A new stage was set for fun at the beach, and many friendships at Little Hickory Bay, which Mom loved. Even better, Mom's lifelong best friend Maureen and her sister, Frani, also wintered along the Florida Gulf coast. Granddaughters began to arrive, first Mary Theresa and Lizzie, then Meghan and Molly.
Some 30 years ago, Jim Delay and Mom rekindled their relationship. As college sweethearts, they went separate ways when Jim graduated from BC, but the spark never faded. Mom's family again grew, with the addition of Jimbo, Mark, Chris, Julie and Sarah Delay and their spouses and children. More adventures ensued, with winters in Florida and family gatherings in the summer at Mashpee MA, and cruises with friends around the world. If arthritis pain had not slowed her down, she'd be at it still. The next years were quieter, but Mom still traveled, attending her granddaughter's various commencements, award ceremonies and weddings. She was especially pleased to see Lizzie and Meghan follow in her footsteps, becoming Nurse Practitioners, and delighted to welcome her great-granddaughter Maggie last year. She loved to read and was an active member of a Mashpee book club. We also enjoyed an international family book club in recent years, with discussions happening via Zoom across nine time zones!
It was Marita and Jim's determined goal to live independently in their home until the end of their lives, which they achieved with the loving support of Jimbo, Julie and Mark; Jane and John; and neighbors Joni and Karen. They will be laid to rest together and we wish them joy as they head off to their next adventure.
Marita is survived by her sister, Frances Glynn Resca of Braintree MA; daughter, Lisa Bithell (Allan) Kirk, of Bozeman MT; her sons John (Jane) Donahue, of Wareham, MA,and Skip (Mary) Barton, of Burlington, VT; her stepchildren Kevin Donahue and Danielle Berriault; her granddaughters Meghan (Peter) Kirk, Molly (Mayhar) Kirk, Mary Donahue, and Elizabeth (Steven) Sztuk; her great-granddaughter, Maggie Sztuk; and the many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who loved her. She was preceded in death by her son, Gregory G. Bithell; her partner, James Delay; her husband, Daniel J. Donahue; her husband, Thomas C. Bithell; and her parents, George and Rita Glynn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to Operation Smile, Doctors Without Borders, or to a charity of your choice.
A funeral service will be held on July 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Epiphany Parish, 62 Front St., Walpole MA 02081. A graveside service will follow at Highland Cemetery, 320 Winter St., Norwood, MA 02062.