Kathleen Louise, affectionately known as Kitty Donovan, passed away on Saturday, April 6, 2024, after a short and courageous battle with cancer at her home in Arizona City, AZ.
Kitty, a premature baby, weighing only 2 1/2 lbs., was born October 13, 1949, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Dennis and Gertrude (Vandersnick) Donovan. Her early years were spent on the family dairy farm near Garretson, SD. She attended a one room school until her eighth grade. Upon graduating from high school she entered nurse's training at the University of South Dakota. Kitty received the first annual Judy West Memorial Scholarship when she was a second year nursing student.
Kitty loved being a Registered Nurse. Her dedication, concern and loving care were recognized by her patients, and the doctors and nurses she worked with at Hoemako Hospital,now known as Banner Casa Grande Medical Center, Casa Grande Clinic, Hospice Compassus, and the offices of Dr. Learte and Dr. Sood.
As a nurse at Hoemako Hospital the following was written to the editor of the Casa Grande Dispatch by Donald and Violet Shepherd of Casa Grande, AZ concerning Kitty.
"I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the nice people at Hoemako Hospital. I have had major surgery four times in the past couple of years, and each time the care and service has been better than the last. The nursing care is excellent and they care, they really care. For instance, one nurse, Kitty Donovan, although not on duty at the time, offered to be with my wife to lend moral support while I was in surgery. Kitty drove in from Arizona City to be with her. This operation was extensive and she didn't want my wife to be alone waiting for the outcome. I never heard of a nurse in Phoenix doing that have you?"
Cats were Kitty's passion and joy. She raised and adopted so many through the years. During her retirement, she volunteered at the Valley Animal Shelter caring for abandoned kittens. She was an avid Notre Dame football fan! Solving Suduko and crossword puzzles and reading were among her favorite pastimes.
Kitty's love of family was evident by all the times she nursed and cared for family members. Her memory will be cherished by her three siblings, Larry (Carol) Donovan, Arlington, SD; Mary (Alan) Engebretson, San Diego, CA, and Joe (Karen) Donovan, Cedar Rapids, IA., sister-in-law Jen Donovan; 22 nieces and nephews, numerous great nieces and nephews, a host of friends including her breakfast group at Alex's diner and her good friend, Vivian Denson who was also her health advocate during her last days.
Preceding her in death her were parents, her brothers, Jack and Buck Donovan; her older sisters, Lois and brother-in-law Stan Petersen, and Pat Heil and a niece Ginger Buehlman.
A Memorial Mass will be said April 18, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Casa Grande, AZ with enurnment at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Valley Animal Shelter, Casa Grande, AZ.
