FCKuCANCER.

In her own words:

…I am powerless over a lot of things, but I can choose my attitude and how I respond to challenges. I have been working on acceptance for years and God has given me plenty of opportunities to practice.

Obituary:

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Eileen Sue Donovan, who departed this life after a long, courageous battle with cancer, at her residence in Houston. Born December 11,1945, in Biloxi, MS, Eileen peacefully passed on November 25, 2025. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward Francis Donovan, Sr., and Catherine Ellen Burns Donovan Mitchell, & her sister-in-law, Alys Virginia Taylor Donovan. She is survived by her brother, Edward “Chip” Francis Donovan, Jr. and her sister, April Elizabeth Mitchell; her nieces, Alyssa Donovan Farrell (Jim), Shannon Donovan Benesch (Shaun) and nephew, John Taylor Donovan (Chesa); as well as many beloved great-nieces & great-nephews. Eileen was a devoted great-aunt, never missing a grandparents/special friends’ day and attending countless birthday parties, school performances and sporting events. She never declined an invitation from great-nieces and great-nephews, & they loved her dearly.

Eileen spent her early childhood years in Cambridge, MA, attending the Boston Lithuanian School, then, upon her father’s passing, returned to Biloxi, MS, and attended Sacred Heart Academy, Nativity B.V.M. Elementary before graduating from Biloxi High School. She attended the Univ. of Southern Mississippi for two years before transferring to the Univ. of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX, to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Eileen’s decision to accept a position at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, upon graduation was inspired by her father, who served as a physical trainer in the military before his life was cut short by brain cancer when Eileen was eight years old. Eileen obtained a master’s degree in education from the University of Houston. For over 50 years, she made profound contributions in the field of physical therapy. In every aspect of her professional life, she demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving patient care, ranging from her educational role as a clinical instructor to her advocacy role as an early visionary & a proponent of oncology rehabilitation. She worked diligently to have oncology rehabilitation recognized as a vital & respected discipline within the medical community, and she was pivotal in acquiring it. She was a lecturer at the nation’s top medical schools and universities, and she co-authored numerous articles and textbook chapters on the crucial role of the physical therapist in addressing key morbidities in the management of the cancer patient. Her legacy & life-long service to the profession extends nationally, through her foundational role in what became The Academy of Oncologic Physical Therapy and her longstanding contributions to the Academy’s Specialization Task Force, the catalyst for the development of board certification in oncologic physical therapy. In honor of her lasting influence, The Academy established the Eileen S. Donovan Award for Clinical Excellence in Oncologic Physical Therapy.

Until her death, Eileen remained a very active member of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center retirees’ group and her Breast Cancer Support Group. After retiring from MD Anderson, Eileen spent her free time volunteering with several organizations very dear to her for many years- the Wildlife Center of Texas, caring for/rehabilitating orphaned native Texas wildlife; the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP); and Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit, fair-trade retailer. She also became a Master Gardner, a long-time goal of hers. She had a love for gardening and served as a resource for the public and friends. Eileen was a staunch supporter and served on several programming committees for those with advanced breast cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, applying her unique expertise and personal experiences to enrich the lives of others, even in retirement Eileen was surrounded by dear friends and family in her final days, a testament to the life she lived and the lives she enriched during her time with us. Her brother, Chip, was by her side daily in the final weeks, and personal visits from her sister, April, each of her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. We thank everyone who came to visit & help make her final days as comfortable as possible, especially the Lightsey family–Melinda, Rebecca, Tom, Pricilla &Catherine. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to her dear friend, Jan Scheetz, for her unwavering, constant support and daily care.

A Celebration of Life event will be held in Houston January 17, 2026, at 2 pm. BakerRipley House 4410 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77011. Eileen’s Burial will occur in Biloxi in late winter.

ln lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the scholarship, recently established in Eileen’s name, honoring her lifetime dedication to supporting growth, elevating clinical expertise, and improving care for people with cancer:

—

Dear Friends and Family of Eileen S. Donovan

A scholarship has been created in honor and memory of Eileen’s lifetime achievements in pursuing excellence in her career as a physical therapist. This scholarship is intended to recognize and celebrate Eileen’s profound contributions to the field of physical therapy. We invite you to join us in recognizing Eileen through this scholarship fund.

Eileen demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving patient care extending from her clinical instructor role to a proponent of oncology rehabilitation. Throughout her distinguished career, Eileen worked diligently to have oncology rehabilitation be recognized as a vital and respected discipline within the medical community. She represented oncology rehabilitation services on many hospital committees, authored chapters in textbooks, and lectured at various universities and at national conferences. Also, she participated in published research defining measurement tools used in the assessment of oncologic patient’s physical status.

For more than fifty years, Eileen advocated for maintaining the highest standards in physical therapy, always seeking to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. She played a pivotal role in developing and implementing protocols that helped achieve these elevated standards, thereby touching the lives of countless individuals through her work and dedication.

Eileen was a staunch supporter and served on several leading committees to establish guidelines for program development for those with advanced breast cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

By supporting the education and professional development of physical therapists, this scholarship aims to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of rehabilitative care.

Furthermore, the scholarship serves to preserve Eileen Donovan’s legacy by promoting her dedicated values of compassion, innovation, and service within the profession.

The Eileen S. Donovan Memorial Scholarship for Oncologic Board Certification will be awarded annually in the amount of $750 through the Academy of Oncology, an Academy of the American Physical Therapy Association. The scholarship funds will be designated specifically for application and testing fees related to the certification process in achieving Board Certification in the treatment and management of those with oncology related needs.

We are asking that contributions be made to the scholarship in lieu of flowers. The Academy of Oncology, an Academy of the American Physical Therapy Association created a website for donations to be made in her memoriam.

Donations may be made online by clicking this link.

or via mail at:

APTA Oncology

140B Purcellville Gateway Drive

Suite 120

Purcellville, VA 20132

If donating by mail, please indicate funds are to be made to the Eileen S. Donovan Memorial Scholarship for Oncologic Board Certification.

This scholarship will be a small way for Eileen’s legacy to live on.