February 2, 1935 – March 17, 2024
Noreen F. (Jordan) Donovan, 89, a Reading resident, passed away on March 17, 2024, after a long illness at her home. She was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts, on February 2, 1935, the daughter of the late Patrick and Margaret (Doherty) Jordan.
Noreen was a proud alumnus of St. Pat’s in Stoneham and a 1953 graduate of Stoneham High. She worked numerous jobs throughout the years, starting with New England Telephone in Boston and working well into her 80s at Stoneham Insurance.
She and Ed were married in 1960 and shared 59 years of marriage. They lived in Stoneham and Boxford before settling in Reading for the last 46 years, where they raised their two Sons and the beloved Kilty, her Cairn Terrier. Noreen was a dedicated Mother to Stephen and Brian and relished her role as Nana, always trying to put a smile on Kate, Sean and Brendan’s faces.
Noreen took up Golf later in life and was Vice President of the Angels Golf League at Stoneham Oaks. The Red Sox and Golf were always on the television and Saturdays brought the Irish music from WROL, while the weekly forensic cleaning on Pine Ridge Road took place.
She embraced her Irish heritage and traveled many times to visit with relatives in Malin Head, Donegal, where her mother was born and immigrated from. Noreen and Ed’s favorite vacation destination was The Cayman Island, where they went for many years.
Noreen was the beloved wife of the late Edward J. Donovan. Devoted Mother of Stephen E. Donovan and Brian F. Donovan and his wife Gail all of Reading. Loving grandmother of Kate, Sean, and Brendan.
A celebration of Noreen’s life will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Douglass, Edgerley, and Bessom Funeral at 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading at 4:00PM. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 2:00PM-4:00PM. Burial is private.
