Ann L. (Ross) Donahue

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ann L. Donahue on June 28, 2025. Ann passed peacefully at home, surrounded by those who loved her.  She was 84 years old and pre-deceased by her beloved husband Joseph Donahue, just 3 months prior. Daughter of the late John and Phyllis (Cappiello) Ross, Ann grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, where she met the love of her life at just 14 years old during a CYO dance. Ann was a devoted member of her church St. Colman’s where she volunteered much of her free time in her younger years. After graduating high school, Ann began her career as a secretary and later worked as a waitress at the Parkway Restaurant, a role that allowed her to balance work with the demands of raising a family. She and her husband eventually settled in Bridgewater, MA, where they raised their four children. Over the years, Ann held a variety of jobs that supported both her family and her community, including helping run the family-owned business, J.J.’s Fish and Subs, alongside her husband.
Ann and Joe were married on October 1, 1961, shortly after Joe returned from the Army. They remained inseparable for nearly 64 years. In retirement, they made their home in Middleboro, MA, and traveled extensively with friends and family, visiting Italy, Ireland, Russia, Greece, Hawaii, Alaska and many other beautiful destinations. They later purchased a vacation home in Florida but soon realized their hearts belonged at home, close to their children and grandchildren.
Ann found joy in the simple pleasures of life, attending church, baking (her banana bread was legendary), going out to dinner, and sharing morning coffee with Joe. In her younger years, she loved camping with her family, always under the iconic yellow and orange Donahue circus tent that made it easy for the kids to find their way back to the site. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her children and grandchildren. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1997 at the age of 56, and faced her illness with perseverance and grace.
Ann was the beloved mother of Joseph E. Donahue Jr. and his wife Tammy of Carver, Karen Harrington and her husband Kevin of Bridgewater, Lisa Paiva of Fall River, and Brian Donahue and his wife Kelly of Middleborough; loving grandmother of 6, great-grandmother of 8 and soon to be 9; sister of Carol Morrill and her husband Ralph of Carver and James Ross and his late wife Linda of East Bridgewater; and an aunt of many nieces and nephews.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her warmth, devotion, and the love she gave so freely to family and friends.

All are welcome to calling hours Monday July 7th from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and her funeral service at 11:30 a.m., all at Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St. Brockton. Cremation and private burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to National M.S. Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ann L. (Ross) Donahue, please visit our floral store.