Martha Lyons Donovan

martha  donovan
Martha Dwyer Lyons Donovan of Vienna and Sandbridge, Virginia died in her Vienna home on Monday, January 31, 2022. Born in Pawtucket, RI, she was the daughter of the late Leo Francis & Mary (Dwyer) Lyons. A remarkable woman of deep faith and loving strength, she married in 1961 and was predeceased by her husband, Navy Vice Admiral (Retired) Francis Donovan. She is survived by their children Mary (Kevin) Bonner, Timonium, MD; Julie Fouhy (Byron Coffin), Brookline, MA; Amy (Bill) Byrne, Vienna, VA; Francis & Kimberly Donovan, Camp LeJeune, NC; Danielle Dunn (Virginia Beach); Grace (Eric) Stedje-Larsen (Virginia Beach); Thomas & Michelle Donovan (Arlington, VA); John & Jacqueline Donovan, The Woodlands, TX; 29 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings and their families: Peter & Kay Lyons, Palm Beach, FL and Mary (Norman) Auger, Misquamicut, RI; her husband’s siblings, all of Massachusetts: Sarah (David) Sutherland (Quincy), Mary (Michael) DeSimone (Lexington), Gerard & Donna Donovan (Billerica), her sister-in-law Anna Donovan (Arlington); and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, VA: Visitation on Friday, February 4 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 5 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 9am at Arlington National Cemetery,1 Memorial Drive, Arlington VA 22211. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to one of her beloved parishes: St. John the Apostle in Virginia Beach or St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna. The online guestbook is available at www.moneyandking.com

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  1. Martha, I will miss you, but I know you are with Frank celebrating. You were a wonderful friend. I enjoyed going out with you for dinners and talking about our children and grandchildren. You brought joy to this world until your job here was done. Kathleen Becker

    • God blessed you richly, Martha, with your beloved and wonderful Frank and your amazing family. I remember wonderful Navy times together in Coronado. You have been a faithful wife, an amazing mother and grandmother, a true friend to so many, and a devout servant to the Lord. May you now rest in peace after a life well done here.

  2. In Annapolis, Momma would dry me off after a tub. I remember a scratchy towel and she would sing ‘America the Beautiful.” With kids in all grades and a baby in the house, she found the time for me. Warm, scratchy and hugged. Best ever.

  3. A woman of family, faith and friendship. Martha, you and Frank (will always be Admiral to me) …have impacted my life as a model in so many ways. I first knew of the awesome Donovan family when I served under the Admiral at Military Sealift Command during Desert Storm…A man of strong leadership as he made sure all of our troops heading in harm’s way were properly equipped (including at least one of his sons) …. several times in meetings mentioned his wife in such a special way. I then came to know the love story of Martha and Frank as they became our mentors and later teammates in Teams of our Lady. Since that time, they have been the model of faith and love. And I continued to know Martha through St Marks – and several groups we were in together…Just a lady of faith and true to the Lord (and her wonderful family). Pre covid, I met with Martha at her beloved Sandbridge “escape”…and she showed me the sites and we dined together at one of her “fun” restaurants. This is a picture from that day. To the Donovan family – what a blessed mother, MIL, grandma and great-grandmother you have! You now can add “angel to guide you” to your list. Stay strong in her faith and know the love story continues as your mother and father are once again holding hands. Blessings of comfort to you all. Karen Reidy Newcomb

  4. Our heartfelt condolences to the wonderful Donovan Clan on the passing of their tireless, gregarious, and charming Matriarch, Martha – a true friend to all of us associated with the USNA Class of 59…her Irish eyes were always smiling, and we will remember her fondly not only for her remarkable life with a large family, but also for her outgoing and welcoming personality. Norm and Linda Bednarek Annapolis, MD

  5. Martha was a thoughtful and caring friend. She and Adm. Frank were especially kind to Maureen and me when we transferred cross-country to his staff. I will always smile when I think of our time together and keep all of the Donovans in my prayers. Capt. Bob Ianucci, USN (ret.)

  6. What a beautiful lady, inside and out. Martha would always chat with us after Mass and made sure to introduce her family to us. Love her photo in today’s Post…smile, sun, and sea…says it all! May all the memories of her give you comfort now and in the future. Mike and Peggy Kelly. Vienna,Va

  7. One of our greatest joys of summers at Sandbridge was meeting the Donovan family. Martha and Frank became valued friends and their family muchly admired. Annah and Parker Cross

  8. Martha was a lovely lady and a friend through the Society of Sponsors and also our Navy association with our husbands. Hank and Frank were contemporaries and friends. She will be missed by many! Lucy Mustin

  9. We extend our deepest condolences to the entire Donovan clan on the loss of its matriarch. Martha Donovan was an exceptional gran dame, gracious all the time, welcoming one and all warmly into the family circle and making every individual feel at home. We share your loss and hope that the prayers of all of us can help to alleviate the pain you feel. In Sympathy, Paul & Maria Victoria Somogyi

  10. Cuzzin Martha, What a light. In the spring before the Va. Beach house filled up w family I would spend an evening and share life. Loved that girl and my visits. John Horton

  11. To the Donovan gang from the Newman gang – we are so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts. Much love, Kristin, Andrew, Daniel and Tim.

  12. Martha will always be one of my very favorite people. She was one classy lady who so loved her family, her husband, her children and grandchildren. We first met the Donovan’s when they were stationed in Mayport, Florida with “that purple bike” (we still talk about that one). OurJerry was XO of the Kalamazoo and we lived just down the street from the Donovan’s. The Donovan kids would come to our house to play with Chris and Julia and when they rang the bell and I opened the door and I would ask their name. Each and every time the answer was “I’m one of the Donovan’s”. Every time. Finally I learned their individual names. Grace would be on the purple bike one day and then Danielle would be on it the next day and down the line. I never heard a mean word or loud voice coming out of Martha’s mouth . She will be terribly missed and those 29 grandchildren will never ever forget her. May Martha rest in eternal peace and once more in the peace of her husband. And while they are at it.they will see their old friend Jerry Murphy who left us in AUGUST of 2020. With love from Susan Murphy (Brookfield, Conn), Chris and Sharon Murphy (Portsmouth, Rhode Island),)Julis and Chip Ashby (Columbus Ohio) and Kate and Shawn Kelly (Natick, Mass)

  13. Amy & Bill, Sorry for your troubles. Out deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your mother welcomed our boys into your family during our Annapolis tour and helped our whole family integrate into life in The Yard. We became “family” and thank God for that blessing. Your mom and dad made us better sailors and marines; they inspired us to be better Catholics. We are richer for having known them and your family. We thank the Donovan Family, one and all, for their service to our country and our Church. Alice, Dick, Pat, Mike and Charlie Stratton

  14. Whenever Grandma and Grandpa drove me back to Annapolis after a happy weekend visit with them, we would stop for coffee, sometimes a muffin or cookie, before getting on the highway. While Grandpa navigated the fastest route to get me back to school on time, Grandma sat in the back seat to chat with me. She had amazing stories of her wonderful life, but always wanted to hear mine, too. Noah and I are so happy that she was able to hold Declan, and we all miss her so much.

  15. These photos are my most recent memories of Martha. She made a special trip to meet baby Liam and they both were content sitting with each other for over an hour. It was within a few days of his first smile and she got him to smile for the second time. She then somehow took the time to print, frame and mail his smiley photo. On the morning we met I remember making toasted English muffins with sliced avocado, a little salt and a big lemon squeeze with an egg on top. She said it was one of her new favorite breakfasts. The rest of the pics live on our fridge in San Diego. I am so proud of the family Martha built and all the love and joy we have received and will continue to receive for a lifetime.

    • Dear Kate – Thank you for this lovely memory. We have so many photos of my mother holding babies in just this manner, speaking some special language to them that always brought a smile. The breakfast you served that day became one that she enjoyed daily. Your post made me smile. Love, Julie

  16. Frank and Martha lead the whole Donovan family in making us feel welcome to Sandbridge. As fellow Northern VA residents with a beach house across the street, we connected and the pine trees Frank donated from their yard to ours are living reminders of their generous and gracious lives. We miss Frank and now we are missing Martha. They set the standard for lives well-lived. Condolences to the whole Donovan family. – Kenneth Lewis & Shirley Smith, Alexandria & Sandbridge, VA

  17. We first met Martha and family in Newport RI when Frank was Executive Officer on the USS Page. Followed by meeting again in Norfolk ,Va where we assisted Martha house hunting and renting a home in Thoroughgood where she said she had the best neighbors. Many years later (2019) we met up unexpectedly on the fourth floor at the Navy Lodge in Coronado. We were so fortunate to be able to enjoy many laughs and long conversations of family events and Navy friends covering the preceding years. Martha told us we were in the room she normally reserves. Martha was a warm and very delightful woman and an outstanding Navy Wife. Carol& Bob Larkin San Diego, CA

  18. We are saddened to learn of Martha’s passing . She was a Classmate of my sister Sheila Chenard at Salve Regina . They were Seniors when I was a Freshman . Frank and Martha were wonderful examples of lives well lived . May She sleep in peace in Eternal Glory . Marshall and Joan Willenbucher

  19. My deepest condolences to the Donovan family. I so enjoyed teaching several of these lively children and visiting with the parents at PTA meetings. A great group and a big loss for them. Sincerely, JoAnne Ramsey

  20. My family and I lived across the street from the Donovan family on Garrett Ave for 18 months in the 80s. What a great time! to say that your family was inspirational, especially Martha is an understatement! She was so wise and loving, she taught me a lot. One of my favorite memories was when she was called to school in the last week because of something Danielle did. She listened to the teacher and then said, “Well she doesn’t act like that at home so I think you have the problem.” ?It sure gave a new perspective! Her beautiful family is her legacy. We will always remember you all. Sheila, Richard, Jess and Sean Morris.

  21. I am remembering wonderful times in Misquamicut, Rhode Island with the Lyons family and wonderful picnics in the back yard of the Lyons’ home with my parents, Marie and John Scott, singing old songs with Mae and Micky Lyons, the Coogans and the Hortons. And all us children listening, learning and enjoying it all. I remember everyone being so happy that Martha had met a wonderful man that she was going to marry. Frank Donovan – a Naval Academy graduate – and so handsome. We visited them at the Academy when they lived on campus in a beautiful home. I now have in my entry way the rug that my mother insisted that Martha needed (on loan) for the house in Annapolis. It was a privilege to be included as friends of the Lyons/Donovan family. With love, Ann Scott Sebastian

  22. Mrs Donovan was always happy to see you – ready with a smile or a greeting; always ready to share – a word, her time & home; always grateful and often made you feel like a hero for the quietest things. In all these ways she engaged in our corner of the world, while she, herself, inspired us and we couldn’t help but reflect a bit of what she saw. We shall dearly miss her. Although she may have parted from us, she will always remain a part of what makes Dellwood Drive our home. With gratitude & love, JAY

  23. After graduation in 1959, Martha and Frank Donovan were the backbone and titular head of the USNA 1959 13th Company. Brenda and I maintained close contact with both over the many years, reunions and company get togethers. If you went to a Navy home football game under our 1959 Class tent, Frank was holding court telling his many war stories. Also, Martha was always surrounded by all the wives listening to and commenting on their many career moves and family additions. They were both loved by all and sorely missed. Our thanks to their family for all the happiness and memories they shared with us. God bless and keep Martha and Frank Donovan!


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