Mary P. Donahue

Mary P. (Webb) Donahue of Waltham died Wednesday, October 14, 2009, in her home. She was 84. Mary was born in Waltham on August 13, 1925, a daughter of the late Earl and Mary (Walsh) Webb. She graduated from Waltham High School in 1933 and attended business school. Mary worked as a medical secretary at the Cambridge Sanatorium where she met her husband, John F. Donahue, who died in 1993. She was employed for many years by the Twinbrook Surgical Associates where she had many fond memories of the doctors and patients she encountered. John and Mary were married on May 9, 1953 at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church where she was an active communicant and member of Our Lady's Guild and the Gardening Angels. Mary also attended Mass at Saint Mary's Church and Saint Jude's Church, both in Waltham and Saint Brigid's Church in Lexington. She was also a member of the North Waltham Young Seniors, the North Waltham AARP, and the Waltham Garden Club. Mary enjoyed volunteering in the Meals on Wheels program and participating in many activities at the Waltham Senior Center. She was also a volunteer reading tutor through the RSVP Program at the MacArthur School in Waltham. Mary was an avid reader of novels and enjoyed doing the crossword puzzle in the daily newspaper. She was an excellent cook and baker whose chocolate chip cookies and brownies were a family favorite. Mary was well known for her upbeat personality, youthful appearance and a person who touched all she met with her expressive smile and cute sense of humor. Mary is survived by her children. Joyce E. Gianfelice of Waltham, John F. Donahue, II and his wife, Kimberlee, of Bristol, CT, Janet L. Donahue of Waltham and Laura M. Urquhart and her husband, Alexander, of Lebanon, NH; her grandchildren, Michael Barrett Gianfelice, Christine E. Donahue, Julianne M. Donahue, Patricia R. Donahue, Elizabeth A. Urquhart and Barrett A. Urquhart, and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Waltham Deputy Fire Chief Robert E. Webb. Family and friends will honor and remember Mary's life by gathering for calling hours at The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Monday before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will follow in the Mass. National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452.