Eleanor A. Donovan

On Friday Dec 23rd, 2022, Eleanor "Ellie" A. Donovan passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded and supported by her loving sons, family, and friends during the last days of her life. Ellie was born in Boston on February 8th, 1956, daughter of the late Patrick and Joan Donovan. She was raised in Milton and lived in Abington for over 35 years.

Ellie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Curry College in 1983. For 35 years, she was a Regional Environmental Planner for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). She served as a New England Community Involvement Representative on the National Regulators Forum (ASTSWMO) and was on the Union Board of Directors of MOSES (Mass Organization of State Engineers & Scientists). Ellie loved her job immensely and it was deeply important to her that she was making a difference; whether it was through social justice, positive environmental impact, educating children or mentoring others.

In her freetime, her passions included gardening, traveling, shopping, hanging by the pool & helping people. Her mantra in life was "pay it forward with one small act of kindness each day". Ellie loved meeting new people and laughing with old friends. She had an uncanny ability to connect with people in a deep and positive way. Ellie’s humor and Irish wit were always on display with anyone she came in contact with. She was proud of her Irish heritage & even named her dog Kerry, where her father grew up in Ireland. 

She is survived by her sons Patrick Grillo and Andrew Grillo; Her twin brother Kevin Donovan (Carter Donovan); Her sisters Cathy O'Connor (husband Albert and son Brian), Patty Donovan, Carol O'Donovan (husband Martin), and her beloved niece Shea O'Donovan. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins in both the U.S. and Ireland, as well as numerous supportive friends.

Visitation will be held at the Quealy & Son Funeral Home 116 Adams Street, Abington on Tuesday December 27 from 4 to 7pm. Funeral mass Wednesday 10:30am at St. Bridget Church, Abington. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made in Ellie's memory to:

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

www.dana-farber.org

Old Colony Hospice

www.oldcolonyhospice.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eleanor A. Donovan, please visit our floral store.