Obituary: Joan (Whalen) Donahue, 77

DONAHUE, Joan P. (Whalen) of Reading, January 3, 2021, Joan P. (Whalen) Donahue, age 77, formerly a longtime resident of Medford. Cherished mother of the late James Donahue and the late Paul Donahue. Beloved daughter of the late Mabel and John Whalen. Sister of the late Natalie MacLaren and the late John Whalen, Jr. She was the wife of the late Joseph Donahue.

Joan’s great love was returned to her by her family, many friends, and the dogs who were fortunate enough to become her “children.” Joan loved nursing; she retired from Lahey Clinic where she had been a valued ICU nurse for over 30 years.

For the past fifteen months, she enjoyed living at Artis Senior Living in Reading, where she had an active social life and became a valued and honored member of the Artis family. She constantly said that she loved not having a care in the world and was loved by the staff who treated her with respect, friendship, and humor.

All services were private. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.

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