Mrs. Andrée L. Donovan

Mrs. Andrée L. Donovan, 92, of Dalton, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, April 30, 2023, with family by her side. Born Louise Andrée Bonin in Quebec City, PQ, Canada, on December 9, 1930, to the late Rodolphe Bonin and Marie-Jeanne Roberge, she spent her childhood and young adult years in Quebec, and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Université Laval in 1953. In 1955, Andrée moved to the U.S. and settled in Berkshire County, which became her home for the next sixty-eight years. On August 4, 1956, she married Vincent P. Donovan at St. Pius X Church in Quebec City, and, in April 1961, became a naturalized citizen. The entirety of Andrée’s career as an R.N. was spent at Saint Luke’s Hospital, Pittsfield, and Berkshire Medical Center. Andrée had an artistic bent and was skilled in a variety of needle crafts like sewing, quilting, and knitting, which she often did in the company of “club,” a group of neighborhood homemakers who’d been meeting over potato chips and onion dip and Jell-O molds in Tupperware since the 1960s. Endlessly inventive and resourceful, she taught herself how to can, preserve, and pickle. She could wield a hammer, run a drill, use an electric table saw. She was bilingual, and able to solve crossword puzzles in either language. She was an avid reader and loved to play cards with friends and family. She was transported by music, favored Chopin, and had an unremitting sweet tooth. Andrée was a faithful communicant of Sacred Heart Church and a long-time member of its choir. She was funny and sweet, and grew more so over the years, and never ever stopped giving thanks for the many blessings in her life. Andrée was predeceased by her husband of fifty-three years, Vincent, who passed away August 7, 2009; by a brother, Jean Bonin (2016), and by her sisters, Louise Bonin Savignac (2018) and Françoise Bonin Guay (2016). She is survived by a brother, Pierre Bonin of Quebec; many nieces and nephews; and by her five children—Mark, Michelle (Brown), Michael, Mary Lee, and Matthew—who, altogether, blessed her with thirteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. Being surrounded by family was Andrée’s keenest joy. She was beloved and will be missed. Funeral Notice: Funeral services for Mrs. Andrée L. Donovan will be Monday, May 22, 2023, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 12:30 pm at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by the Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow at Ashuelot Cemetery. Calling hours will be held prior to the service, from 10 am to 12 noon at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201. Donations in her memory may be made to Elder Services of Berkshire County.

Mrs. Andrée L. Donovan

December 9, 1930 - April 30, 2023