Obituary: Marietta Donovan

Marietta Donovan, 79, of Riverton, NJ, died peacefully on Jan. 2, 2017, at her home after her battle with cancer.

Marietta was born Oct. 27, 1937 in Dunmore, PA. She was a graduate of Dunmore High School. She earned her Bachelor degree from the University of Texas, El Paso, performed graduate work at Temple University and earned a Master’s degree from Antioch College.

Marietta worked for the Philadelphia School Board for more than 30 years as a special education teacher. A particular joy was teaching severely and profoundly impaired children at the Greenwich home. Since many of these children were wards of the state, she would sometimes foster a child at home with her and her family during the holidays.

She was a member of the Westfield Friends Quaker Meeting and formerly a member of Haddonfield Friends Quaker Meeting. A long-time resident of Riverton, NJ, she also lived in Haddonfield, NJ, for over 20 years, where her children were raised and went to school.

She was a great cook and everyone looked forward to the over-the-top dishes she would bring to the otherwise ordinary potlucks. She was an avid volunteer and was still cooking and bringing people meals until a few months before her death.

She volunteered at The Garden Project, an urban garden and halfway house in Camden, NJ for female residents under the supervision of the Department of Corrections. She would cook a huge meal on Saturdays to be enjoyed with the ladies.

Marietta was a vocal advocate of prisoner's rights, refugees, a woman's right to choose, the environment, and the arts (she loved classical concerts at the Kimmel Center, and the Philadelphia Ballet).

Survived by her Devoted Daughters - Jennifer Donovan of Collingswood, NJ; Amanda Donovan Drake of Wayland, MA ..Grandson Charlie. Former spouse Tom Donovan. Son in Law George Drake , Former spouse Tom Donovan. Siblings: Carol Fine of Clark Summit, PA and the late Dr. David K. Brown of Morgantown, West Virginia.

Memorial service is 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at the Westfield Friends Meeting, Rt. 130 and Riverton Road, Cinnaminson, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation on Marietta's behalf to: NARAL, the National Resources Defense Council, or locally to The Garden Project (via check to Haddonfield Friends Meeting, with “FTSS Garden Project” in the memo section. Send to Haddonfield Meeting, 45 Friends Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033.)

Condolences may be left at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.