Harriet Donovan, a resident of Manchester for almost sixty years and an active community volunteer, died peacefully on April 17, 2015. She was 90 years old. Born in South Dakota to Bessie and Albert Johnson in 1924, Harriet Johnson grew up in the small town of Crooks where her father ran the general store. She graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls with degrees in English and in Business Administration, and from the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration in Boston, a parallel program to the Harvard Business School, which at that time did not admit women. After graduation she worked as a Job Analyst for John Hancock Insurance Company in Boston. In 1953 she married Dr. Thomas J. Donovan who was then a surgical fellow at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital. In 1956 the couple moved to Connecticut and Dr. Donovan established the cardiac surgery program at Hartford Hospital. They raised their seven children in Manchester. In addition to running a large and active household, Mrs. Donovan held leadership roles in numerous community organizations including the Auxiliary to the Hartford County Medical Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Auxiliary of Manchester Memorial Hospital, devoting countless hours to the hospital's Penny Saver Thrift Shop. She was a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Town of Manchester and on the board of the Hartford College for Women. Mrs. Donovan tutored English as a Second Language for the Literacy Volunteers of Connecticut and worked tirelessly for the American Field Service, which placed local students abroad and international students with local host families. The Donovans hosted a Japanese student, Yuki Fujita, during her year at Manchester High School and later were able to visit Yuki's family in Japan. Music was another life-long interest for Mrs. Donovan. A gifted singer and accomplished violinist, she made sure her children studied music and participated in church and concert activities. Her talent for gardening was displayed in her spacious property, and when she twice hosted outdoor weddings for her daughters at home, the setting was idyllic. She is predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Thomas Donovan; survivors include a brother Eugene Johnson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; seven children, Susan Donovan (Mario Rendon) of Hercules, California, Kathryn Wiegand (Jeffrey) of New Rochelle, New York, Dr. Nancy Donovan (Elliot Ehrich) of Boston, Massachusetts, Jane Peacock (Kenneth) of Vernon, Connecticut, Thomas Donovan (Rita) of Manchester, Connecticut, Carol Donovan Kaminski (Paul) of Katonah, New York, and Joseph Donovan (Loretta) of South Windsor, Connecticut, as well as fourteen grandchildren: Francisco Rendon, Rebecca Coale (Howard and her stepdaughter Cassandra), Daniel, Emma, Natalie, Daria and Frank Wiegand, William and Fiona Ehrich, Kara and Brian Donovan, Brunon Kaminski, and Samantha and Abigail Donovan. The family is grateful to Stella Ofoedu for her supportive and tender care for their mother, and they wish to thank the Arbors and A Caring Hand for enabling Harriet to enjoy her golden years. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for The Auxiliary of Manchester Memorial Hospital. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m. at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center St. Manchester, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00-7:30 p.m. There will be an informal period of remembrances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. For online condolences please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.