Marietta F Donovan

January 2, 2017

Marietta Donovan, 79, of Riverton NJ died peacefully on Jan. 2, 2017 at her home after a battle with cancer. Marietta was born Oct. 27, 1937 in Dunmore, PA. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, El Paso, and a master’s degree in education. 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 Greenwich Home. Since many of these children were wards of the state, she would often invite a student to stay with 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. Marietta was a great cook and everyone looked forward to what she would bring to 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. Marietta loved classical music, poetry and reading, but she was happiest when surrounded by her family. Survived by devoted daughters Jennifer Donovan of Collingswood, NJ and Amanda Donovan Drake of Wayland, MA, grandson Charlie, and sister Carol Fine of Clark Summit, PA. Her brother was the late Dr. David K. Brown of Morgantown, West Virginia. A celebration of Marietta’s life will be held Sat. Jan. 7, 2017 at 11 am at the Westfield Friends Meeting House at 2201 Riverton Rd. Cinnaminson NJ. (Rt. 130 and Riverton Rds). In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation on Marietta's behalf to: NARAL (naral.org), the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC.org), or 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.)