Dolores Marie Butler Donovan, 83, was called home to our Lord and Savior

on Friday morning October 9th, 2026. She spent the peaceful final days of

her life in St. Elizabeth Hospice in Edgewood with her beloved family at her

bedside around the clock.

Mrs. Donovan was born on December 4th 1942, at Long Acre Farm in

May’s Lick to Nathan and Dorothy Marie O’Rourke Butler. She was the only

girl amongst six brothers. On the family farm, everyone pulled together to

keep the wheels turning. It was there her lifelong way of loving people took

shape: she fed them, she cared for them, and she never let them leave

without a good story. The values instilled in her youth became the very

fabric of her being – directly driving the lifelong impact she had on her

community both in May’s Lick, Maysville, and beyond.

After graduating from May’s Lick High School in 1960, Dolores’ passion for

helping others led her to graduate in 1963 as a Registered Nurse from St.

Joseph School of Nursing located in Lexington.

She married her childhood sweetheart, Joseph Michael Donovan, on

October 16th, 1965, at St. Rose of Lima Church in May’s Lick. Their hearts

were inseparable from an early age, and their love grew into a life of

devotion both to each other and their families.

Following their matrimony, the couple moved to Cincinnati where Dolores

worked at Good Samaritan Hospital, while Joe was employed at Western

Southern Life Insurance Company. However, this was cut short as Joe was

called upon to serve during the Vietnam War era. Following his discharge in

February of 1968, the couple returned to Cincinnati. The young couple’s

stay in Cincinnati concluded when Joseph’s father died suddenly from a

massive heart attack on July 12, 1968. Two weeks later, Dolores’ father fell

and suffered a complicated hip fracture. The two relocated to Maysville to

live and be near their parents.

In Maysville, they built a life rooted in family, faith, and service to others,

becoming true cornerstones of their community. Upon their return, both

were called upon to serve on the boards for numerous organizations.

Dolores was an active member of the American Red Cross - Mason Co.

Chapter, Kentucky Nurses Association, Mason County 4-H, Mason County

United Way, Pro-Life Commission, Opportunities for Life, and St. Patrick’s

Church and School. One of her greatest joys was being a leader for Girl

Scout Troop #380. She received many honors during her lifetime, including

being named Lady of the Year and to the Honorable Order of Kentucky

Colonels. Dolores worked at Hayswood Hospital and spent the final years

of her career in the family practice of Dr. Grosser.

In 1973, the couple was blessed with the birth of their only child, Catherine

Maria Donovan Martini. Motherhood became the fullest expression of the

care she had spent a lifetime giving to others.

Her family remained at the center of her life. Dolores and Joe gained a son

when their daughter married John Quincy Martini. She welcomed three

granddaughters and a great-granddaughter into the family she loved so

dearly.

Her love for family was indivisible from the Catholic faith that guided her

throughout her life.

Even near the end of her earthly life, Dolores attended Mass as often as

she could, watching EWTN daily, and praying innumerable Rosaries.

Along with her faith, listening to music provided comfort and strength

throughout her life, but most notably in her final years.

On October 9th, Dolores was reunited in heaven with her beloved husband,

Joseph Michael “Joe” Donovan; her parents, Nathan and Dorothy Butler;

and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan W. Butler Jr., Mr.

and Mrs. Larry M. Butler, and Mrs. Donald C. Butler; her mother and

father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Tom M. Donovan; brother-in-law, Dr. Tom G.

Donovan.

Survivors include her adoring daughter and son-in-law, John and Maria

Martini; and three granddaughters, Madeline Marie, Catherine Hayes

(David Blincoe), and Olivia Donovan (Tyler Erba), and her precious

great-granddaughter, Penelope Jean Blincoe, who joyfully entered the

world earlier this year.

She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald

L. Butler, Mr. Donald C. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Richard O. Butler, and Mr. and

Mrs. Thomas E. Butler; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and

nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews, plus hundreds of cousins

and a host of wonderful, loving friends. The family offers heartfelt

appreciation to the staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospice,

Emerald Trace, and to her special caregiver and friend, Susana Lopez.

The visitation for Dolores will be held Friday October 16th from 4-7pm at

Knox and Brothers Funeral Home in Maysville, the date that would have been

her and Joe’s 61st wedding anniversary. A Rosary and prayers will be led

by Father Joseph Gallenstein at 6:30pm. The Funeral Mass celebrated by

Father Michael Comer will take place Saturday, October 17th at St. Rose of

Lima in May’s Lick at 11:00am followed by burial at St. Patrick Cemetery.

If so desired, memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church or School, St.

Jude Children’s Hospital, Hospice of Hope, St. Elizabeth Hospice, Tunnel

to Towers Foundation or to any charitable organization of one’s choice.