Janice L. (Stack) Donovan, age 88, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Cornerstone at Hampton, NH, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis J. Donovan, Jr. with whom she shared 53 years of marriage until his passing in 2012.

She was born in Lowell on April 30, 1934, and was a daughter of the late Thomas and Sarah (Corey) Stack.

Janice was raised in Lowell and was a graduate of Keith Academy. After high school she worked at various research hospitals in Boston as a microbiologist. She was married on August 2, 1958, and settled with her husband in Chelmsford where she raised her family. During this time, she was able to work mother’s hours for Cal Laughton where she learned to create floral arrangements. She was very civic minded and worked for the Census Bureau and was a Girl Scout leader. Janice was an active parishioner of St. Mary Parish, Chelmsford, where she, along with her husband, taught Religious Education and was a leader of the Marriage Encounter program. She was instrumental in the fundraising activities for the new St. Mary Parish and was a volunteer as a cook for Meals on Wheels. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and arts and crafts. For many years, she worked for Chelmsford High School running the labs for the science department, before moving on to work as a microbiologist at Tewksbury State Hospital until her retirement. Most of all, Janice cherished the time she spent with her family and friends at Lake Sunapee. Her love for her family and friends knew no boundaries, as everyone was considered “family”.

Janice leaves her children, Frank Donovan and his wife Kerry of Hampton, NH, Joyce Donovan of Hampton, NH, and Joanne Donovan of West Townsend; her grandchildren, Stephanie Hamilton, Christopher and Sarah Dorval, Kelsey and Jack Burns, and Aleecia DeLeon; her great-grandchildren, Donovan Dorval, Lincoln Dorval, Chase Shorey, and Salem Hamilton; and her brother-in-law Robert McCarthy. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Sadly, she is predeceased by her sister Patricia Barrett, her brother Thomas Stack, her brother-in-law James Barrett and her sister-in-law Phyllis McCarthy.

Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home , 24 Worthen St., Chelmsford. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 3:00 pm following the visiting hours. Interment will be held privately.