Donovan Scholarship in Memory of Linda Donovan & James Donovan

This scholarship was established by Lynne England, twin sister of Linda Donovan and daughter of Jim Donovan. Linda Donovan was an inspiration to all who knew her. After graduation from WHS, Linda was enjoying college life like so many others until a devastating car accident in 1981 left her a quadriplegic without the use of her arms or legs. Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Linda persevered and completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at the UMass Lowell and her Masters degree from Tufts University graduating Magna Cum Laude. She became a public speaker at colleges and schools. She loved children and went to many grade schools teaching them about disabilities overcoming many barriers along the way. Before her accident she was an athlete at WHS. She and her sister shared captainship in field hockey, played basketball and ran track together. They were inseparable and referred to as the “Donovan Twins”.

Linda would not want us to stand still, but to make a difference in the world as she did during her life on this earth. She always said, “Where there is a will there is a way.” Linda will never be far from home, as she will live on through this scholarship to others.

Jim Donovan lost his parents at the age of 8 and was raised in a Catholic orphanage. When he was just 17 he moved out on his own working to pay rent while attending high school. Faced with this challenge so early in life he still managed to be a star athlete and was Captain of the basketball team. After graduation he enlisted in the Air Force serving his country in the Korean War. When he came home, he married his high school sweetheart and raised four daughters. Throughout his life he was a devoted father and husband holding the family together during his wife’s illness and frequent hospitalizations. He was often left alone to raise his four daughters. Later, he would also take responsibility for the care of his paralyzed daughter. Linda and Jim left an endearing message that unconditional love and devotion trumps all, and that no obstacle is bigger than you can handle.