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Donovan-Duff, who was recruited to be the first director of the Bereavement Center of Westchester (BCW) in 1995, is credited with kick starting countless programs that addressed the needs of children, and helped shape the organization from the ground up.
After spending 10 years in psychiatric nursing, Donovan-Duff became a first nurse and patient care coordinator for Phelps Hospice, where she eventually ascended to bereavement coordinator before she was tasked with molding the BCW.
“When I’m confronted with a something new, I read everything about it and attend conferences,” she said. “I’ll teach myself everything there is to know. This was very helpful when BCW started, and then we needed to figure out how to run the organization.”
During her tenure, Donovan-Duff started the Tree House program, a support group for children between the ages of 4 and 18 that have lost a parent or sibling, and their guardians. Families from as far as Connecticut and Manhattan take the trek to Bronxville and Mount Kisco, where the group meets bi-weekly, where they break into small groups to talk about “feelings, memories, worries and concerns.”
“The Tree House is where kids feel like they’re in a club with people like them,” Donovan-Duff said. “They feel like they can open up and say what’s on their mind without being judged. When kids feel safe and free to talk about concerns, they can start to enjoy themselves.”
While she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, children and grandchildren, Donovan-Duff will still be keeping an eye on her Tree House community. The BCW, Jansen Hospice and the Junior League of Bronxville will honor her in the fall at a gala at Siwanoy Country Club.
“I fall in love with the people who come to me, even the ones I haven’t seen in years,” she said. “I am genuinely excited about the next phase of my life, but will carry a lot of people in my heart.”
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