Marlborough – Joanne M. Donahue, 84, died Saturday night, April 19, 2014 after a long period of failing health.
She was born in Marlborough, the daughter of the late Joseph and Annie (Kittredge) Donahue, and lived there most of her life. She was graduate of St. Vincent's School of Nursing, class of 1950, and went on to graduate from Boston College, class of 1959, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and went on to get her Master's Degree in 1966. She was a United States Air Force veteran of the Korean War, serving as a nurse at the 5001st Air Force Hospital.
After the war, Ms. Donahue went on to a long and distinguished career serving as Associate Director of Nursing for the former Hahnemann Hospital in Worcester, the Director of Nursing for the Lincoln Nursing Home in Worcester, and the Head Nurse at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. She also served as co-coordinator of homecare for the Worcester VNA for three years, and was a faculty member of the Framingham Union Nursing School.
Ms. Donahue was a longtime member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Marlborough, where she served as Lector for many years, and also served on the parish council.
She is survived one sister-in-law, Patricia Donahue of Maynard, and two nieces, nine nephews, and many cousins. She was predeceased by one brother, William, and one sister, Helen Mahoney.
Her funeral Mass will be held Friday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m., in the Immaculate Conception Church, 11 Prospect St., Marlborough. Burial will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Visiting hours at the William R. Short and Son Funeral Home (www.shortfuneral.com) will be held on Friday morning, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., prior to the Mass.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Immaculate Conception Parish, 17 Washington Ct., Marlborough, MA 01752 or a charity of the donor's choice.
