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June 23, 2021WORCESTER - Sister E. Julie Donovan, 84 of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, died Thursday, June 17 in the UMass-Memorial Medical Center after a short illness.
She was born in Boston, daughter of John H. and Evelyn M. (Baum) Donovan. She attended St. Lazarus School in East Boston. After graduating in 1954 from Fitton High School in East Boston, she entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, where she was known as Sister Julie David for many years. She went on to graduate from Emmanuel College, majoring in biology and chemistry. She earned a master's degree in counseling from Boston State College and a master's degree in family therapy from Southern Conn. State University in New Haven.
Sister Julie was a teacher in several Notre Dame schools including Holy Rosary School, Lawrence; Blessed Sacrament, Cambridge; St. Augustine's, Andover; and St. Gregory's, Dorchester. She was pincipal of St. Bartholomew School in Needham.
In 1981, she changed the focus of her ministry to family therapy. She counseled families in the Amherst area and later with Catholic Charities in Worcester. She was provincial secretary and personnel director for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. She was director of pastoral care at Notre Dame du Lac in Worcester, retiring in 2010.
Sister Julie was predeceased by three brothers, John H. Donovan Jr., Simon J. Donovan and Jesuit Father David I. Donovan. She leaves nieces and nephews, and her sisters in religion, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
The funeral will be Friday, June 25, at the Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation St., Worcester. Visiting hours will begin at 1 p.m. with the sharing memories at 1:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will follow at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be in Notre Dame du Lac Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, 351 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149.
The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.
