Notes:
Freda Evelyn Mumaw Donovan, 96, of Kansas City, MO, formerly of Wilmington, DE, died peacefully in the comfort and care of her devoted daughters on June 1, 2017. She was born March 25, 1921 in Onaga, KS, the daughter of Genevieve Henderson Mumaw and Lloyd Wallace Mumaw. She was a 1942 graduate of Kansas State University with a B.S. in Home Economics and Institutional Management. She completed a dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins University Hospital before being offered a position at the Alfred I. DuPont Institute Children's Hospital. Freda served as the cafeteria manager of the Harlan Elementary School, an administrator in the New Castle Co. School Food Services, and past president of the Delaware Dietetic Association. Her volunteer work included Reach to Recovery for Breast Cancer Survivors for many years.
Freda met Maurice M. Donovan in Wilmington at a YMCA dance after WWII and married on August 20, 1949 at the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City. Her love, devotion, and passion for her family knew no bounds. Her favorite activities were traveling, cooking, vegetable gardening, and fishing in the Delaware Bay. She is survived by her three daughters Maureen D. Carman (William), of Versailles, KY; Sharon D. Coffman of Kansas City, MO; and Carole D. Pugh (James) of Northbrook, IL; as well as nine grandchildren: W. Daniel (Dan) Carman, W. Andrew (Drew) Carman, Sarah Behler, Dane Broadie, Scott Coffman, Amy Coffman, Michael Pugh, Andrew Pugh, and Kelsey Pugh; and five great-grandchildren. Freda was preceded in death by her husband Maury, her mother, father and brothers.
Freda's family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the caring staffs at Crossroads Hospice and The Gardens at Barry Road. A private memorial service will be held at the Onaga Cemetery in Onaga, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Crossroads Hospice in Kansas City, MO, the American Heart Association, or charities of choice and may be sent in care of the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home. P.O. Box 312, Onaga, KS 66521. On-line condolences may be expressed at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.
[Published in The News Journal on June 23, 2017]