Kathern Donovan

Date of Birth

Mar 10,1927

Date of Death

Sep 25,2019

Kathern “Kay” L. Donovan, age 92, of Sandwich, IL, formerly of Maple Park, passed away on September 25, 2019, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family.
Kay was born on March 10, 1927, in Benton, IL, to proud parents Alvis and Fay (Walker) Lampley. After graduating from Benton High School, Kay moved to Elgin and worked as a shoe clerk.
On a trip to Southern Illinois, Kay met Earl Donovan and they were united in marriage on April 24, 1947. They made their home in various places including Kaneville, Elburn, and finally Maple Park. Kay and Earl both loved the dream of having a large family and they were blessed with 10 children. Among those children were a set of twins and one child who arrived before they got to the hospital and was born in the car.
When the first of her children were born, Kay devoted her life to being a mother and homemaker. It wasn’t until 1997 that she went back into the working world and was an in-home care provider.
Kay was a devout Christian who was baptized at the Kaneville United Methodist Church where she was a proud member. She shared her faith with her children both through example and instruction.
With a house full of children, Kay was involved in many extracurricular activities. One of those was serving as a Den Mother for Cub Scouts who met at the Donovan home and where countless memories were made. During her spare time, even as a busy mother, Kay found many other things to be involved in. She had a number of hobbies including some of her favorites; sewing, knitting and crocheting. During the Easter season, Kay was very busy sewing a dress for each of the girls and matching shirts for the boys.
Crafting was not Kay’s only gift, she was also amazing in the kitchen. With a large garden in the back yard, which bore all sorts of vegetables, you could often find Kay busy canning and pickling everything she possibly could; from pickles, jams, and preserves to pickled watermelon rinds. Later in life, Kay started into the cake decorating business and opened a small business from her kitchen. This little business was open to all of her friends; wedding cakes were one of her specialties. Her garden also yielded a vast variety of flowers from which Kay created countless floral arrangements which she placed throughout her house. The lovely fragrance and gorgeous blooms always put a smile on Kay’s face.
She was also the “handy-man lady”, a trait she inherited from her father. There was nothing Kay couldn’t do in her children’s eyes. Her heart was filled with love for her family and friends. She made many memories through her years here before God called her to His arms. Kay will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
Kay is survived by her seven children: Patricia Mosley, Gary (Louella) Donovan, Kenneth (Vicki) Donovan, Penelope (Ronald) Morgan, Steven (Veronica) Donovan, Wendy Jager, and Paul Donovan; one daughter-in-law, Kate Donovan; her 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Janet Sue (Jody) Ronchetto and Richard Lampley; many nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Alvis and Fay Lampley; her former husband, Earl Donovan; her three sons: Michael, David, and William Donovan; three siblings: Shirley, Ken and Carroll; and her grandson, Doug Jager.
Her visitation will be held Monday, September 30, 2019, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St, Elburn, IL, from 10-11a.m., with a service to celebrate her life to follow at 11 a.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations are accepted. Checks may be mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes may be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook page or at www.conleycare.com.

Her visitation will be held Monday, September 30, 2019, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St, Elburn, IL, from 10-11a.m., with a service to celebrate her life to follow at 11 a.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

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