Althea J Donovan

Althea Joy (Snell) Donovan, age 93, of Lancaster, NH, went home to be with the Lord on September 10, 2024. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield, NH, following a brief illness. Althea was born on August 25, 1931, in Lowell, MA, the daughter of Walter Snell and Beaulah (Joy) Snell. A lifelong resident of the North Country, she often reflected fondly on her childhood, growing up with parents who ran the Yankee Notion Museum, Country Store, and Restaurant on North Road in Jefferson, NH. Raised with a strong sense of frugality, she carried an appreciation for simple living throughout her life. A graduate of Lancaster Academy’s Class of 1949 (The '49ers), Althea attended Miami University for a short time before leaving to serve her country in the United States Navy. She proudly served during the Korean Conflict as part of the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) division. Together, Althea and her husband of over forty years, Manford E. Donovan, operated Lancaster Dry Cleaner’s Service out of the ground level of their home on Canal Street. This was also where they raised their children and made countless friends and connections within the community over the years. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a 10,000-mile cross-country trip, visiting family and friends across the continental U.S. In her later working years, Althea was employed by UNH Cooperative Extension as an associate in Food and Nutrition, a role she especially enjoyed for the opportunity to work with children. Althea and Manford were devout in their faith, attending weekly services at Calvary Baptist Church, located next to their home. Althea was predeceased by her husband on November 18, 2003, but she continued to live independently in her home for over twenty years, a testament to her strength and self-reliance. Althea is survived by her two sons, Jonathan Donovan and Jaimie Donovan; four grandchildren, Adam Donovan and his wife Brittany, Heather (Donovan) Tobin and her husband Kyle, Kyle Donovan, and Kristin (Donovan) Bell and her husband Paul; five great-grandchildren, Kennedy Donovan, Jack Tobin, Ruthie Tobin, Bennett Bell, and Vivian Bell; as well as a niece, Ruthann "Ruthie" (Snell) Roux, and nephews James "Jimmy" Snell, Andrew "Andy" Snell, and Robert "Bobby" Snell Jr. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Robert Snell and Roger Snell, and a son, David Conine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations that benefit children, such as Shriners Children’s or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Althea J Donovan

August 25, 1931 - September 10, 2024