Georgia A. Donovan

Georgia A. Donovan       “beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother”

SHINGLEHOUSE, PA---Georgia A. Donovan, 88, of Shinglehouse, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in the Olean General Hospital, Olean, after a brief illness.
     Born June 21, 1924 in Susquehanna, she was a daughter of George and Gladys Skinner Colwell.  On December 25, 1948 in Susquehanna, she married Reuben W. Donovan, who passed away on July 17, 1991.
     Mrs. Donovan was a graduate of Susquehanna High School and in 1946 graduated from Mansfield Teachers College with a Bachelor’s degree in education.  She later earned her Master’s degree in education from St. Bonaventure University.  
     Mrs. Donovan was a teacher at the Shinglehouse/Oswayo Valley Schools for her entire teaching career, retiring in 1984.  She received the Teacher of the Year award.
     She was a very active member of the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, having been a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Mary Martha’s group of the church.   She was a member of Eureka Chapter #52 Order of the Eastern Star in Shinglehouse, a member of the Oswayo Valley Historical Society, and a member of the D.A.R.  She was a past board member of the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library in Shinglehouse, where she volunteered for many years.  Mrs. Donovan, along with her husband, was an antique car enthusiast. She enjoyed gardening, taking pictures of her loved ones, and quilting, having made a quilt for all of her children and grandchildren.  She most especially loved spending time with her family.
     Surviving are two daughters, Diane E. (Fay) Schoonover of Ceres and Jeanie M. Donovan of Hixson, Tennessee; two sons, George R. (Loretta) Donovan and Michael J. (Brenda) Donovan, both of Shinglehouse; fourteen grandchildren, Brent (Jamie) Schoonover, Brady (Tracy) Schoonover, Brandon (Jaime) Schoonover, Brooke (Walt) Keim, Britton (Shannon) Schoonover, Sarah Donovan, Emily Donovan, Lauren Donovan, Greg Donovan, Reuben Donovan, Georgia Donovan, Hailee Wilson, Jillian Maurer and Joey Maurer; fifteen great-grandchildren, Jessica Schoonover, Dylan Schoonover, Elizabeth Schoonover, Meghan Wilber, Morgan Schoonover, Maddison Schoonover, Elayna Keim, Sierra Keim, Hailey Keim,  Zander Keim, Parker Keim, Skyler Carlson, Sheldon Carlson, Alexa Schoonover, and Sienna Schoonover;  two  sisters, Janet (Ernie) Young of Cuyler, NY and Mary Jane Kissell of East Vestal, NY; three brothers, Jacob (Betty) Colwell of Alma, NY, Jesse Colwell of Susquehanna, and John (Beryl) Colwell of Vienna, Virginia; a brother-in-law, Richard (Grace) Donovan of Olean; and many nieces and nephews.
     In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Donovan was predeceased by a son, Jerry L. Donovan; and a grandson, Bryant J. Schoonover.
     Friends may call from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm on Friday at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 South Union Street, Shinglehouse.  Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, North Lincoln Street, Shinglehouse, with the Rev. Randall W. Headley, pastor of the Port Allegany United Methodist Charge, officiating.  Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
    Members of Eureka Chapter #52 O.E.S. will conduct a memorial service at 8:30pm on Friday evening in the funeral home.
     In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, PO Box 296, Shinglehouse, PA 16748 or to the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library, PO Box 188, Shinglehouse, PA 16748.