WATERTOWN, NY — Beverly H. Donohue, 88, of Academy Street, Watertown, a registered nurse and widow of Paul Francis Donohue, passed away Friday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2018, in her home under the care of her family, caregivers, and hospice. Â
Born May 22, 1930, she was the second of three children born to Isabel LaPier Hodge and Gordon Hodge. After being named valedictorian of her 1947 Watertown High School class, Beverly entered the House of Good Samaritan nurses’ training program.Â
On Aug. 14, 1950, she eloped and married Paul F. Donohue in Carthage, NY, keeping it a secret because nursing training, at that time, prohibited marriage.  Beverly graduated from the House of Good Samaritan nursing program in 1951 and worked at the hospital until 1958 when she quit to stay home with her children. Â
She was active in the altar guild for 60 years, first at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and later at Holy Family Church, where she was also a member of its Celebration Singers. With her husband Paul, she was a presenter at weekend seminars for World Wide Marriage Encounter, the world’s largest pro-marriage organization, from 1973 to 1980. Beverly also played bridge in a bridge club, quilted with the North Country Quilt Guild, served as an enthusiasticelection poll worker, and attended the Watertown Home Bureau.
Beverly is survived by her brother Charles Hodge, of Santa Ana, California, two sons and their wives, Marc D. Donohue and Lila Tarmin, of Baltimore, MD and Ryan P. Donohue and Laurie Ann Davidson, Watertown; two daughters, Kelly Aine Donohue Babcock Colton and husband Larry M. Colton of Watertown, and Leslie Hodge Donohue Guerci and husband, Alan D., Sea Cliff, Long Island and Sackets Harbor; thirteen grandchildren, Paul, Megan, Ian, T. J., Bree, Ian, Keara, Seth, Adam, John, Aubri, Benjamyn, and Jennafir; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces nephews, and cousins.Â
She was predeceased by her husband, Paul F. Donohue, a pressman at the Watertown Daily Times for 35 years; a sister, Mary Lou Hodge Hall of Little Rock, Arkansas; a half–sister, Ruth C. Kipp; two half-brothers, Albert Hodge, and Francis (Stub) Hodge, all of Watertown; and a son-in-law, R. Timothy Babcock.
Calling hours will be held 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at Cummings Funeral Service, Inc. The funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the funeral home with Fr. Steven Murray officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.
Online condolences to her family may be posted at www.cummingfuneral.com.
