Eleanor Donovan

Eleanor “Ellie” Donovan (Arigo) of Weymouth, formerly of Hingham, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 25, 2025.

She was born on August 2, 1955, in Arlington, Massachusetts, where she was raised by the late Albert and Eleanor Arigo.

She was a stay at home mom for many years, a role she treasured deeply. She later returned to work as a paraprofessional at Plymouth River School, where she found great purpose and joy. She was known for going above and beyond for her students, many of whom would stay in touch with her well after their elementary school years.

Ellie loved cooking and baking and could often be found in the kitchen, especially during the holidays. Each Christmas she delighted family and friends with her holiday cooking and homemade candy. She loved to entertain on all occasions.

She found great happiness spending summers at her vacation home in Kennebunk, Maine. She especially loved the beach. She enjoyed reading and socializing at the beach and dining out with friends and family on the Maine coast.

Extremely friendly by nature, Ellie seemed to know someone wherever she went. She formed friendships easily at home or in Kennebunk and always took the time to make others feel appreciated.

More than anything, she loved her family. Ellie is survived by her husband, Tom Donovan, to whom she was lovingly married to for 42 years; her daughter, Kerri Shilalie, and her husband, Dan; her son, Sean Donovan, and his wife, Renee; and her cherished granddaughters Maeve, Clara, and Mila.

Ellie will be remembered for her kindness, her laughter, and her unwavering love for family and friends. Her spirit will live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Monday 1/5/2026 from 4-7 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Funeral service will be celebrated on Tuesday 1/6/2026 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery, Quincy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit. Your gift supports the clinical care and research efforts for individuals living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Gifts may be made online: Giving.MassGeneral.org/donate

See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.