Blanche Keller Donovan November 9, 1931 - August 29, 2013

Blanche Keller Donovan was born in Saginaw, Michigan on November 9, 1931. After her father’s death she moved with her mother to Southern California. She graduated from Eagle Rock High School and Occidental College. She married William P. Donovan on December 19, 1954 and began a family and a long teaching career. As a Physical Education professional at Glendale College, she helped bring forth many of the classes and programs that still exist today. Starting in the late 1950’s, women were struggling to find a foothold in schools across the country in a male dominated landscape where woman’s participation was frowned upon in anything other than basic physical education classes. She worked to help pass Title IX, affording equal opportunities for female athletes. After retirement in 1992, she moved to the place she most loved, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. There, she spent happy times playing tennis, learning the Hawaiian language, quilting, and hula. She also volunteered her time to many local programs and organizations. In 2007 she moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be closer to family. Blanche is survived by her children, Erin Donovan (husband Michael Reed), Marni Donovan (husband Jan Varney), William Donovan, Jr. (wife Carlen Donovan), and grandson Jack Donovan.