Delia A. “Dolly” (Santagata) Donovan, age 102, a lifelong resident of Quincy, died peacefully on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Atria Marina Place, surrounded by her loving family.

Dolly was born in Quincy to the late John and Maria (Ricci) Santagata. She was a graduate of the Merrymount School and Quincy High School, Class of 1943, where she was a cheerleader for the football team.

She was employed as a supervisor with the former Household Finance, Inc. of Quincy for thirty-two years. Dolly volunteered for 35 years at the Thrift Shop at the Home for Little Wanderers in Boston and served on the Thrift Shop Board of Directors.

A woman of faith, Dolly was active for many years at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Quincy where she served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She was also active at Saint John the Baptist Parish in Quincy.

Dolly enjoyed knitting, as well as arts and crafts. She was a world traveler, visiting the Mediterranean, Europe, Hawaii, and Florida. Most recently, she enjoyed vacations in Aruba with her late husband, Joe, and family.

She had been a member of the Castle Island Association for over twenty years.

Dolly was devoted to her family, providing special attention and care to her parents and siblings.

Beloved wife and best friend for seventeen years of the late Joseph L. Donovan. They had known each other for fifty-two years, devoted to each other; they maintained a special relationship.

The last of five siblings, she was predeceased by Nellie Dryer, Joseph Santagata, Sister Annette Maria of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, N.Y., and Ann Manfra.

Dolly was the loving aunt to eight nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Holy Trinity Parish at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 227 Sea Street, Quincy, on Thursday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visitation prior to the Mass at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Interment Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

For those who wish, donations in Dolly’s memory may be made to The Home for Little Wanderers, 72-74 E. Dedham Street, Boston, MA 02118, or online at www.thehome.org.