Isabel Donovan

Glace Bay, N.S.

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of the most wonderful Wife, Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Cousin and friend, Isabel Donovan.

Isabel was born and raised in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, daughter of the late Agnes Kerr (Byo) McWhirter and John (Jack) Bennett.

At the tender age of 12 years, our Mom lost her mother and settled into the life of helping her Dad raise her younger brother and sister, David and Meran. In her later teenage years, she headed off to Toronto for work, soon followed by our Dad. They settled in Port Credit, Ontario, where Mom worked for Admiral Appliances. After marrying and having their first child they decided to head back home to Reserve, settling back home in Glace Bay and Reserve as their family grew with 3 more children.

Mom attended Trade School and had various jobs, but she spent many years at Highland Fisheries, working alongside family members and co-workers who became lifelong friends.

Moms’ greatest accomplishments were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom loved spending time with her family, her favourite day being Wednesday’s, where her children, grandchildren and even their friends joined in for a family supper. There are many stories from her grandchildren’s friends and MacKays Corner kids, over the years of eating, dancing, and spending time at “Isabel’s and Andrew’s”. Anyone who was lucky enough to have known our mom was important to her. She had a favourite memory about everyone and she cherished so many… from her cousins, her nieces and nephews, friends of her children and grandchildren, men and women playing softball, basketball girls and hockey kids.

Her summers were spent with Andrew watching family play softball and, during the fall and winter they would either be in the gym or rink watching family and friends play the games she loved. She loved following her grandchildren from the rink, the gym, and the field and was well known at each. Mom and dad also always loved music. It was always on in their house. It was the foundation for her sons and grandsons to become musicians, and she was their favourite fans. Mom loved to cook and would often make pies/bread for so many families and friends. Mom’s favourite pastime was playing bingo with her best friend and sister, Donna. In the past, another of her favourite things to do was club night with the McNeil (Woodpecker), Boutilier’s, and Stubbard girls.

Mom spent her days with her husband Andrew; they watched gameshows and crime tv. Each evening, they would go for their drive and get an Ice Cream, visiting Morien, Donkin, New Waterford and New Victoria. Weekends included Sydney trips to Walmart, Giant Tiger, and Mira.

Isabel is survived by her husband of 56 years, Andrew Donovan, her children Kathy (Trever), David (Chantel), Karen (Mark), John (Renee), chosen daughter Connie (David) and special daughter in law Danette Foster. Nan is also survived by her grandchildren Devon (Amanda), Daniel, Breanna (Brandon), Nathan (Breagh), Kallie (Logan), Kassie, Hannah (Max), Ceilidh (John), Emmy (Kevin), Ella, Peyton, Reece, and Andrew, little Nan to Mila, Libby, Halle B, Mack and Beau. She was also so proud call Matt, Jay, Keegan, Isabel, Gibson, and Ophelia her grandchildren. She was affectionately known as Nana Donovan to James and Kaitlynn and special Auntie to Arthur, Holly, Krista, Kerri, Katelyn, Dave.

Mom is survived by her sister Rannie (Jonny), her brother David (Lisette). Because mom lost her mother at 12 years, her aunts helped with raising her, resulting in mom having many cousins that were like siblings to her. McNeil’s (Woodpeckers)Donna, Mary Ruth (Danny), Coody (Diane), Mickey (Diane), John, Tina (Don), sister-in-law Colleen and Joan and Toni, (Stubbards)… Erville, Carol (James), Velma (Al) (Sewarun), Chris (Melinda), Stacey Westervelt. Special cousins Linda (Joe) Sziksai, Mary Ag and Theresa Tucker.

Along side her parents, Isabel was predeceased by her brother Jimmy, sister-in-law Carmel. (McNeils) George, Duck, Mazie, Peggy, Robert (Theresa), Tommy, Francie, Darrell, Debbie, Donnie, Eva, Billy, and Jimmy. (Stubbards) George, Shelly, Lilly, Maurina, Marion, and Gerry. Special Cousins Mary- Ag and Deryk Westervelt, and her best friend Josie Timmons. Also Predeceased by her sister in laws Judy (Leo), Jeanette (Clarence), and brother-in-law Jamsie (Mary).

Mom was a “special auntie” to all of her McWhirter, Sewarun, Westervelt, Bennett, Martell, McNeil, Stubbard, Boutilier, Slade, Donovan and McNeil nieces and nephews. She always called each one her favourite and loved them dearly.

Special thanks to Blair Slade, Connie Slade, Kimmy & Donna MacDonald, Lorraine, Nadine, Nicky, Velma and Carol for spending so much time at the hospital with us over this 3-week ordeal. So much love to our Aunt Rannie for staying the late nights with us and the sleepovers. The coronary care unit staff were so good to our family and especially our mom. The professionalism was second to none and your patience with our mom and our large family was appreciated and always remembered. Thank you Dr. Hassein, Dr. Gao, Dr. MacDonald and Dr. Young.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 3-7 p.m., and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m., with Fr. Damian presiding. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and compassion of T.J. Tracey Funeral Home, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay. 902-849-4199.

She sang in the sunshine

She laughed every day

She sang in the sunshine

and she went on her way.

God saw you were getting tired, so he called you home.

Till we meet again mom… Please Walk Slow.