Joan M. (Donovan) Donahue, age 73 years, of Middleboro, formerly of Braintree, died Friday, Oct. 26, 2012, at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. She was the wife of James M. Donahue; they had been married for 51 years. She was born in Abington, daughter of the late Henry and Catherine (Regan) Donovan. Joan had been a resident of Braintree for 40 years, before moving to Middleboro. She was a homemaker most of her life, and previously was a payroll clerk at Liberty Mutual Insurance. She was a communicant of St. Thomas More Church, Braintree, and more recently of Sacred Heart Church, Middleboro. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Survivors include her husband, three sons, James Donahue II and his wife Darlene of Brookline, John Donahue and his wife Terry of Braintree, Jeff Donahue of Mashpee; a daughter, Vyvyan and her husband Tom Howland of Milton; six grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held in the Ashley Funeral Home, 35 Oak St., Middleboro, Friday, Nov. 2, from 5-8 p.m., with a prayer service to be follow at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to My Brothers Keeper, P.O. Box 338, North Easton, MA 02356, would be appreciated. For more information, visit www.eggerandashleyfh.com.