De Lila Donovan

1942 - 2026

De Lila Donovan
03/07/1942 - 01/09/2026
De Lila (Lolly) Lee Donovan passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026. She was surrounded by her husband and four children.
Lolly was born on March 7, 1942 in Seattle, Washington, to William Tell Laube, Jr. and Ruth Margery Laube (Pesch). The Laube family moved from Seattle to Berkeley, California in 1947. As a young girl, Lolly dedicated herself to ballet, appearing in recitals wearing costumes all sewn by her mother. She attended El Cerrito High School and then, in 1963, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. The Laube family spent their summers at their cabin on Echo Lake where Lolly excelled at water skiing and worked at the soda fountain in the Chalet. Echo Lake remained a very special place for Lolly long after the cabin was sold.
After college, mutual friends set Lolly up with Drew Donovan. They married in 1964 and began their family soon after. Lolly was first and foremost a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. To say she was organized and efficient is an understatement. She worked full time as an administrative assistant and, later, as an administrator with the San Mateo Community College District; and yet, she still managed to be a carpool driver and cheerleader for her kids for their many different sports and activities. She loved her grandchildren beyond measure and made sure to connect with each of them in ways unique to their lives and interests. Lolly and Drew, both Cal grads, were loyal Cal football and basketball fans, always sporting their Blue and Gold!
Every summer the Donovan family spent a week or two in Lake Tahoe at their family cabin. Lake Tahoe, just down the mountain from Echo Lake, became Lolly's other special place. Pope Beach, Meeks Bay and Sand Harbor were favorite spots for the family. Lolly's greatest wish came true in August 2024 -- she got one last vacation to Meeks Bay with the entire family, grandkids included.
Lolly loved to exercise – taking up aerobics, then Pilates, and finally hiking. She became a member of the local chapter of the Sierra Club and joined weekly hikes across the Bay Area. Always wanting to keep her mind working, she enrolled in adult education classes and became a tournament bridge player.
Lolly is survived by her husband of 61 marvelous years, Drew William Donovan, her four children: Molly (Chris Coomber), Michael (Colleen Donovan), Mary (Mike Dannelley), and Megan (Hayes Green), as well as her six grandchildren: William Coomber, Kate Coomber, Drew Donovan, Gavin Donovan, Sean Dannelley and De Lila Green. Lolly is also survived by her sister, Lorna Sparrer. Her parents, Bill and Ruth Laube, and brothers, William (Buck) Laube and Joseph Laube, predeceased her.
A mass will be held at St. Bartholomew's church in San Mateo on Thursday, February 19 at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.