MOUNT JACKSON, VA – Madelyne Gertrude Donovan, 92, of Mt. Jackson, passed away Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024, at Winchester Medical Center. Services will be held in Southwick MA at a later date in the spring.
Mrs. Donovan was born October 29th, 1931, in Quebec, Canada, daughter of the late Edmond G. Chouinard and Therese Dupuis Chouinard. She formerly worked at Strathmore Paper in Westfield MA and was known for making lap quilts for many people in the area. She was married to the late Andrew Edmond Donovan.
She is survived by four daughters, Deborah Lansing of Mt. Jackson, Laura Lynne Donovan of Florida, Patricia Shoemaker of Connecticut and Tammy Ayr (Wilson Dysart) of Edinburg; brother, Peter Chouinard of New Hampshire; three grandchildren, David Lansing (Lisa), Nicholas Lansing (Serena) and Devin Shoemaker (Olivia Brandt); and three great-grandchildren, Shawn Lansing, Damon Lansing and Alexina Lansing.
She was a giver. She was thankful. She believed in letting you know you were loved. She was full of spice and ready to go all the time. She made you laugh.
She was a sewer all her life but in her later years and her lifestyle became limited, she focused on how she could help others. And that she did. She made many blankets for assisted living homes, hospice, veterans and many other organizations. She always said they are made with love. I would love to know how many she actually made. I know it was thousands. Who could have imagined sewing all that love. She also made beautiful holiday table mats for us. I cherish each of mine. She made pocketbooks with matching accessories. No one loved them more than her friend, Stella. I’m sure they are catching up today. Your love will remain here with us and so many others because you sewed it and laid it upon us. Made with love.
The family will have a memorial dinner in her honor at 2:00 p.m. at the Woodstock Moose on Sunday, January 28th, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Make A Wish Foundation.
Online condolences may be left at www.valleyfs.com
Arrangements by Heishman Funeral Home Inc., Valley Funeral Service Branch, Edinburg.
