Patricia Helen Donovan

Patricia Helen Donovan, formerly Patricia Helen Hasselhorn, born on October 4, 1927 in Chicago, passed away on Wednesday evening, November 16, 2016 due to complications arising from cancer and several recent falls. Patricia was married to John V. Donovan in Evanston, Illinois shortly after WWII. She went on to help John Donovan start his company, Intercon Research Associates, in Evanston, where she provided valuable guidance and advice, as well as arranging social functions. As a longtime resident of Wilmette, Pat was a very active participant in the Women's Club of Wilmette and the Women's League of Independent Voters. Her college career started at William & Mary, which she attended for two years before graduating from Rockford University with a BA in English Literature and a fellowship to the University of Chicago. Pat was an avid reader, historian, and a tremendous mother to her sons James, Timothy and Walter, two of whom still reside in the Wilmette area. She was also very close to John Donovan's sister Rosemary Killermann and her 7 children, whom resided in her household at different times. Pat had a great love of music, history, culture, and travel. She traveled extensively around the world, both independently and with her husband, having traveled to over 100 countries to see key archaeological sites in Europe, Asia, the Middle East as well as South and Central America. Pat was known to all of her friends for her great generosity and compassion, which fueled her selfless desire to help others in need. She was a generous and beautiful woman of unparalleled intelligence who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Especially by her sons, her grandson, granddaughters and daughter-in-law Jane Donovan, who became the tremendous chef that she is now through the family recipes that were passed on from Pat. Pat threw wonderful parties and always cooked everything herself on a truly gourmet level as she picked up cooking techniques through her travels around the world. We know that she shall rest in peace and thrive in the afterlife. With our true blessings and thanks to Patricia and all that she brought to everyone's life. There will be a Celebration of Life service for Patricia at 3:00 PM Wednesday, November 23, 2016, at Toale Brothers Funeral Homes, Gulf Gate Chapel, 6903 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL.

Tributes

Patricia Helen Donovan

October 4, 1927 - November 16, 2016