Laverna L. Donovan

LaVerna L. Donovan, formerly of 717 Prospect Ave. and Eden Heights, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013, at the Cuba Memorial Hospital Palliative Care, following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Donovan was born May 1, 1922 in Olean and was a daughter of Frank and Mary Rogers. On May 3, 1983, in St. Petersburg, FL, she married her loving husband of 11 years, John "Red" Donovan, who predeceased her on June 29, 1994. Mrs. Donovan was a graduate of Olean High School and attended the Westbrook Commercial Academy. She had been employed at the Exchange National Bank (now the Community Bank) and the NY Telephone Company. She was a member of the St. John's Church and its Altar and Rosary society, and also worked tieh Literacy Volunteers of Cattaraugus County. An avid vocalist through the years, she sang with the Olean Chapter of Sweet Adelines, the Olean Community Chorus, the Keynote Chorus, and St. John's Choir. Mrs. Donovan is survived by a sister, Elda Fitzgerald; a niece, Kathleen (Edward) Dickinson; seven stepchildren, Michael Donovan, Catherine (Gregg Place) Donovan, Lynn (Ray) Counter, John Donovan, Mary (Roland) Gay, Barbara (Brian) Stork, Polly (Joseph) Weber, many step grandchildren; and nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. Along with her husband, LaVerna was predeceased by a cherished daughter, Barbara Linnan in 1965 at the age of 17. There will be no visitation. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at St. John's Church, 931 North Union Street, Olean at 1:00 pm. The Rev. Edward J. Sheedy will celebrate. Burial will be at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street Olean, New York 14760. Memorials may be made to St. John's Church, 931 North Union Street, Olean, New York 14760. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.