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**In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials are Preferred** Dr. Cathy Donovan, a beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt, church member, and physician died suddenly and tragically on Monday, November 13, 2023. Cathy was born in St. Petersburg, FL on October 14, 1967 as the youngest of a set of twins. She grew up in Florida, attending the University of Miami where she was a member of the "Band of the Hour" during the peak of the Hurricane football powerhouse. She then attended medical school at the University of North Carolina and did a family medicine residency in Spartinburg, South Carolina. She graduated from residency in 1996 and having fallen in love with both the health system and the community on Mille Lacs Lake, she moved to Minnesota, embracing all that Minnesota's beautiful outdoors has to offer. In 2000, she adopted her dearly loved daughter, Joy Chenghui Xu from Nanjing, China. Cathy embraced her life as a mother with her usual exuberance becoming a Girl Scout leader and school trip chaperone. In 2005 Cathy grew her family with the adoption of Shan Liang Dang from Luoyang, China. With the adoption of Shan, Cathy became an active sports mom and advocate for children with limb differences. Having seen her children grow into successful young adults, she used her free time to enjoy running, particularly with her beloved rescue dogs, most recently Sunny and Flash, and snuggling with her many cats, who would just show up in her life and demand to join her family. A long-time recreational runner, Cathy achieved a personal goal, successfully completing Grandma's Marathon in Duluth in June 2023 with her reluctant twin sister. Other than running, Cathy was known for her love of travel, having visited 49 states before graduating from high school, her love of gardening, and her adventurous spirit, which resulted in her trying things that at times amused or horrified her family. Cathy is survived by her beloved children, Joy and Shan; along with her son-in-law, Benedict Behrens, who is more like Cathy in many ways than her own children; her loving parents, George and Shirley Donovan; sisters, Robin Councilman (Dave) and Christy Pemberton (Dennis); nieces and nephews, Dana, Aaron, Kelsey, Amelia, Kyle, and Aiden; aunts and uncles, Joy and Bob Teasley, Eric and Sheree Cunningham, and Larry and Sally Newman and many friends and colleagues. Cathy was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mattie and George Daughtery and Kelsie and George Donovan, Sr.; and aunt, Patricia Newman. Her celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 1:00 pm at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Onamia, MN with coffee and desserts to follow. In lieu of flowers, Cathy would appreciate donations in her honor to Wahkon Presbyterian Church (Wahkon, MN), Mille Lacs Health Systems, or Nubability (Nubability.org). To View Livestream Please Click the Link and You Will Be Redirected: https://my.gather.app/remember/cathy-donovan

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Cathy Donovan

October 14, 1967 - November 13, 2023