F. Jane Donovan Slattery - Obituary

ane Donovan Slattery passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Just before her passing, she was able to hear from both her sons and from her dear friend, Maureen Baillie. Jane was known for her strength of character, irrepressible sense of humor, and her fierce devotion to her family, the Catholic Church, and her Irish heritage. Jane was born on December 18, 1926 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Her parents were James and Jane (née Kelly) Donovan, both from New York City. After her mother passed away when she was 3 years old, Jane and her younger brother, James Joseph Donovan, resided with her father’s relatives on Carroll Street in Brooklyn, NY. She formed a close bond with her four cousins, whom she considered her brothers and sisters throughout her life. The family spent summers at the shore in Highlands NJ, where Jane developed her lifelong passion for swimming. After completing her primary and secondary education at Catholic schools in Brooklyn, Jane attended the College of St. Elizabeth (now St. Elizabeth University) in Morristown, NJ. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, and after graduation, she attended business school. Her first job was in the office of an advertising agency in Rockefeller Center. Jane decided she wanted to see the world and became a flight attendant for United Airlines, joining the cadre of women who symbolized the pinnacle of sophistication and glamour of the period. It was while working on a flight that she met John (“Jack”) Matthew Slattery, of Bay City, Michigan, a helicopter pilot for the United States Air Force. Jane and Jack were married in 1952, outside of Austin, Texas. Jane accompanied Jack to his assignments to various international and domestic locations, including Tripoli, Libya, Warner Robins, GA, and Mobile, AL. Jack’s final assignment was to the Washington, DC area, where they settled in Fort Washington, MD to live the rest of their lives. There they raised two boys, Michael and Matthew, who Jane proclaimed were her “pride and joys.” Throughout her 60 years in Fort Washington, Jane was immersed in the social network of her community. She was very active in St. Ignatius Church and school, other Catholic organizations, and social groups at Andrews and Bolling Air Force bases. During summers, Jane could be seen at the pools of the Officers’ clubs, where she was sure to swim over 100 miles every year. Jane also enjoyed bowling in Officers’ Wives Club leagues. Jane truly lived her life to the fullest, fueled by her indomitable New York Irish spirit, and in later years, with the assistance of her friend and caregiver, Frances Funderburk. Jane was the last of a great generation of Donovans, many of whom lived happily and healthily into their 90s. One week after her last childhood cousin passed, Jane left us in the manner she lived her life, on her own terms. Jane is survived by her two sons, Michael R. Slattery of Bedminster, NJ and Matthew J. Slattery of Shrewsbury, PA, and six grandchildren: Andrew Slattery, Shannon Slattery, Casey Slattery, Sean Slattery, Emily Choi-Slattery, and Kieran Choi-Slattery. Relatives and friends are invited to Jane's Life Celebration on Thursday, April 24 from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 2315 Brinkley Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Please check back for updated information. In lieu of flowers, gifts in Jane's name may be made to Catholic Charities.