Barbara Donovan

OXFORD - Barbara M. (Gould) Donovan, 90, of Liberty Lane died peacefully, surrounded lovingly by her family, on August 2, 2021, at her son Steve’s home, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Brendan X. Donovan who died in 1995. She is survived by her two sons, John F. “Jack” Donovan of Southbridge, and Stephen B. Donovan and his wife Kara of Charlton; a brother, Brian Gould and his wife Eileen of Oxford; three grandchildren, Colin, Evan and Kaelyn Donovan of Charlton; many cousins and three generations of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy “Dot” Bottom and Alice Thomas, and two brothers, James “Dick” Gould and Raymond “Kelly” Gould. She also leaves her very, very special friend Jean Bello of Oxford, who was like a sister to her. She was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late Henry and B. Rita (Purcell) Gould and lived in Oxford for more than 70 years.

For over 25 years Mrs. Donovan worked as a waitress, hostess and dining room manager at the Yankee Drummer in Auburn. Prior to that, she was a waitress at the New Yorker in Auburn. During this time, she also volunteered countless hours at St. Roch’s parish supporting youth programs, events, and fundraising efforts.

In retirement, Mrs. Donovan loved to go shopping, play BINGO, take bus trips, go out to lunch, and spend time with her family and friends. She was also an active member of the Oxford Senior Center and past President of the Friends of the Oxford Senior Citizens, Inc. She will be remembered as a kind, caring and loving person who saw the best in everyone and welcomed everything life offered her.

Mrs. Donovan would especially like to thank her nieces Diane, Donna, Debbie, Darcy, and Missy, her sister-in-law Eileen and daughter-in-law Kara. Their love and attention were truly appreciated. The family would also like to thank the staff of Salmon VNA and Hospice for their exceptional care during the past few months.

Memorial calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St. Oxford with a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. Roch’s Church 332 Main St., Oxford. Burial will follow at St. Roch’s Cemetery in Oxford, where Barbara will be reunited with her husband Brendan on their 67th wedding anniversary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Barbara to the Oxford Senior Center, 323 Main Street, Oxford, MA 01540.