JOAN DONOVAN

1926 - 2021

DONOVAN-- Joan Elizabeth. December 13, 1926 - December 31, 2021. Joan Elizabeth Donovan of Manhattan passed away peacefully on December 31st at the age of 95. Born in the Bedford Park neighborhood of the Bronx to Arthur Donovan Sr. and Mary Wall Donovan, Ms. Donovan was a lifelong resident of New York City until her death. Ms. Donovan graduated from Mount Saint Ursula Academy High School in the Bronx and is a graduate of the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, NY. After graduating from college, Ms. Donovan was hired to work in the Foreign Department of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith assisting military personnel still stationed overseas after WWII. She progressed within the company to be one of the first female stock brokers in the Manhattan offices. Her life-long career at Merrill was her passion. As a young woman she sat between two of the founders of Merrill, Charles Merrill and Edmund Lynch giving daily updates on the company's research. Another founder, Mr Winthrop Smith, sat on a different floor but would contact the others to hear Joan's daily updates. She was well liked and respected by her many peers because of her no-nonsense personality, quick wit and tenacious work ethic. She was a female pioneer in the world of Wall Street. A favorite story among her coworkers was when Joan was recognized in one of the Merrill Lynch Inner Circle Clubs and was awarded a "Red Jacket." She was the only female broker and there were only male jackets. Guests were heard commenting about Joan wearing her "husband's" jacket. Not missing a beat, she politely informed them that she earned the jacket and was not married! Ms. Donovan would go on to work for Merrill Lynch for 68 years, retiring in 2016 at the age of 91. A devout Catholic, Ms. Donovan attended daily Mass as a parishioner of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan. She was a longtime member of her beloved New York Athletic Club and was also a member and supporter of the New York Council of the Navy League of the United States. She was a true patriot in every sense of the word. Ms. Donovan hails from a famous athletic family. Her grandfather Michael O'Donovan was a Middleweight Boxing Champion of the World. One of his famous fights was against John Shaughnessy refereed by Wyatt Earp. Joan's father, Arthur Donovan Sr. is a Hall of Fame boxing referee of matches such as the most renowned between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. Joan's beloved brother, Arthur J. Donovan Jr. was the first Baltimore Colt inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. As a defensive tackle for the Colts, he played in the 1958 Championship, considered "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Little did their parents know that their two children would go on to have such successful careers, one as a female "first" in the finance industry and the other as a professional NFL football player. Ms. Joan Donovan is survived by her nieces and nephews: Debra Donovan Smith, Christine Donovan, Arthur Donovan III, Mary Donovan O'Hern (Hugh) and Kelly Donovan- Mazzulli. She is also survived by seven grand-nieces and nephews: Christopher Smith, Katie O'Hern, Kelly O'Hern, Molly O'Hern, Pierce O'Hern, Mary Mazzulli and Maggie Mazzulli. A private burial will take place in Baltimore and a memorial service will be planned in New York City at a later date.