Barbara (Barb) Ann Donovan of Gardner Kansas passed away following her courageous six month battle with lung cancer on December 25. Barbara is survived by two children, Steve and (wife Debbie) Gish and Susan and (partner Paul) Belanger, her brother Dick and (wife Cec) Jensen, grandson Blake and (wife Abby) Harris, step grandson Kyle and (wife Colleen) Jacobs, step granddaughter Jennifer (husband Steve) Weich and three great grandsons, Lincoln Harris, Rocco Jacobs and Bear Jacobs.  Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Al and Peg Jensen and her beloved husband of 42 years, Ben Donovan.

Barb was born in the Bronx and grew up in Yonkers, New York. After high school, she followed her brother Dick, to Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas where she studied Biology. Barb worked for many years in the insurance business, and co-owned a sheep farming business with Ben. Upon retirement, she and her husband designed and built their retirement home outside of Gardner Kansas.  Together they traveled and vacationed to various places including Hawaii and Alaska, they shared the hobby of fishing. Barb also enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening and swam weekly at the YMCA. Her greatest delight was spending time with her new great-grandson, Lincoln. Attending the First Presbyterian Church of Gardner was also of great importance to Barbara.

In honor of her wishes, a private family graveside memorial will be held in the spring, in Gardner.  Barbara will be laid to rest next to her husband Ben.  Donations can be made in Barb’s honor to the Olathe Hospice house, 15310 S Marion St, Olathe, KS 66061.

Arrangement in care of Bruce Funeral Home.