Marie Kathleen Donovan

Rye - Marie Kathleen Donovan (Geary) passed away peacefully on December 7 at age 92. She was the devoted wife of the late George D. Donovan to whom she was married for 66 years. Marie was a loving mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother and affectionately referred to as Oma by her grandchildren. Marie and George raised their family in Andover, MA, and they were residents of Rye, NH for 40 years. Marie was born in Lowell, MA on January 21, 1933, daughter of the late Catherine E. (Delahanty) Geary and former Lowell Mayor and Massachusetts State Senator William C. Geary. She is pre-deceased by her beloved sisters Carol and Estelle (Geary), Kathleen (Geary) Morris, and brothers William, Eugene and Paul. Marie attended Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, MA and graduated from Lowell State Teachers College (now UMASS Lowell). She taught grammar school in Tewksbury, MA for several years. Marie grew up in a time when the lives of many women followed a traditional path, and looking at the outline of her life, one would assume this was the same for Marie. Once married, she had five sons in quick succession. Her objective was to raise children who were faith and family-centered, and strong members of the community. But for all who knew Marie well, she was certainly an independent spirit—from her teen years when she decided she preferred a different middle name and simply changed it --without any formalities associated with the process. Rather than choosing a man with an emerging professional career, she married a handsome young Hampton beach lifeguard. Instead of settling down right away, they departed for an extended tour of Europe. Little did they know at the time that this trip would lead them to becoming new business entrepreneurs as importers of ski wear and ski boots. Marie played a critical role in growing the family business, which still operates successfully today. Marie was an early adopter of what we would now call wellness and self-care. She focused on nutrition, vitamins, and the linkage between fresh foods and good health. Marie had a broad network of friends, but her soul mate and confidant was her sister Kathleen, with whom she spoke every day of her life. When her husband balked at wintering in Florida, Marie forged ahead and bought a condo, much to their mutual enjoyment over the years. Marie always exercised, was a skier, golfer and practiced yoga until her 80s. She was an experienced traveler with her husband. Later in life, she became quite an accomplished painter. But most of all—Marie had a truly compassionate nature and a great sense of fun—which made her a favorite with young and old. Marie is survived by her five children: John L. Donovan (Kathleen) of Wellesley, George D. Donovan (Mary) of Seabrook, William C. Donovan (Carilyn) of Andover, Daniel J. Donovan (Erin) of Andover, and David M. Donovan (Richard) of Conover, NC. Additionally, Marie is survived by 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Services will be on December 18, visitation at Remick & Gendron Funeral Home in Hampton, NH 8.30-9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Rye, NH at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell 220 Worthen St. Lowell, MA 01852 (near the Acre) https://girlsinclowell.org/ or Harborside Hospice Foundation PO Box 930 Haverhill, MA 01831 www.harborsidehospicellc.com/donate

Marie Kathleen Donovan

January 21, 1933 - December 7, 2025