Rosellen Donovan

ROSELLEN DONOVAN is the daughter of Martin and Frances Weaver Donovan. She was born in Otter Creek, Jackson County on June 11, 1926.

Rosellen died in Oceanside, California, on August 28, 2004. She is interred at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, Michigan.


From the September 8, 2004 edition of The Californian (Temecula, CA)

OCEANSIDE, Calif.Rosellen Donovan passed away on August 28, at 8 p.m. after a difficult struggle with cancer. Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Rosellen came to California in the early 1950s.

She began her teaching career in the city of Chula Vista. She moved to Oceanside in 1958 and taught at the following elementary schools: Laurel, North Terrace, Ditmar, Palmquist and finally Garrison. Rosellen taught kindergarten at the Garrison Elementary School for 23 years, retiring in 1993.

She had a strong reputation as an excellent teacher. “She used more lesson plan books than anyone else,” said a former colleague and friend. “She created thorough and detailed plans and never went to school without being fully prepared.”

Many former students have inquired about her and remembered her fondly. Although she was a very private person, she was well known for her great generosity toward children and animals. She was a cat lover and had many cats in her care over the years. They were a great source of joy in her life.

She was predeceased by her parents, Martin and Frances Donovan; and brothers Martin Jr., Robert and Laurence Donovan; and sister-in-law Clara Marie Donovan.

Rosellen leaves behind two sisters, Madelyne Holoweiko (Mike) of Lansing, Mich., Patricia Higley (Richard) and one brother, Tom Donovan (Clara) of Diamond Bar, Calif.; as well as sisters-in-law Theresa Donovan of Kenner, La., Betty Donovan of Las Vegas, Nev., and Mary Donovan of East Lansing, Mich.

There will be no services in California. Rosellen’s remains will be sent back to Lansing, Michigan, St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Her family plans a funeral mass and memorial at the Church of the Resurrection in Lansing.

Those wishing to acknowledge Rosellen’s life are encouraged to make a donation in her name to either Resurrection Grade School at 1527 Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI, or the North County Humane Society at 2905 San Luis Rey Road, Oceanside, CA. Donations made to the humane society should be designated for the improvement of the cat facility. The North County Humane Society graciously accepted responsibility for caring for Rosellen’s surviving cat companions, Benjamin, Pete and Mama-cat.


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