Irene Donovan's Obituary
IRENE KOZLOWSKI DONOVAN of Memphis, Tennessee, (formerly of Penn Hills), passed away on June 24, 2012. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until the memorial service begins at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7 at St. Bridgid Catholic Church. Irene was born on Polish Hill in 1921 and was a lifelong resident of the Pittsburgh area before joining her daughter in Memphis after the death of her husband William “Bill” Donovan in 2002. Irene and Bill were married while he was a serviceman, when his service was complete, the couple returned to Pittsburgh and settled on Mark Drive in Penn Hills. Irene was very involved in her community. She served as a Eucharistic minister for many years at Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Irene enjoyed volunteering at Jubilee Soup Kitchen. The pro-life movement was a passion. Irene enjoyed attending rallies and meeting people and ministering to them along the way. Gardening was a favorite pastime and each spring was spent planning her backyard garden and attending Garden Club functions. Card club and the tight knit group of friends that Irene cultivated were also great joys in her life. The time spent on Mark Drive for the Donovan family brought them the joy of raising four children. Irene is survived by her four children, Patricia (Richard) Goehlert of South Hamilton, Massachusetts, Paul (Kathy) Donovan of Anthem, Arizona, Margaret “Peggy” (Fred) Decker of Memphis, TN, and Michael (Sharon) Donovan of Oakmont, PA; Irene leaves eight grandchildren, Mathew Goehlert of Boston, Massachusetts, Timothy (Rhiannon) Goehlert of Danvers, Massachusetts, Heather (Tony) Leopard of Tempe, Arizona, Ryan (Janelle) Donovan of San Diego, California, Paul Decker of Melbourne, Florida, Amanda Dixon of Arnold, PA, Emily (David) Callejo of Saginaw, Michigan and Tyler Donovan of Oakmont, PA; seven great-grandchildren also survive Irene, Nicholas and Allison Leopard, Carter Goehlert, Lela and Ella Dixon, and Icie and Antonia Callejo. The great-grandchild count is due to rise to nine later this year, a distinction that Irene would have surely wanted mentioned. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor Irene in death please make a donation to Jubilee Soup Kitchen, 2005 Wyandotte Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 in Irene’s name.
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