Mary Bernadine Donovan was born on October 2, 1920 in Connellsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, to John T. Donovan and Catherine A. Logan, according to her Social Security record.

At the time of the 1930 Federal Census of Connellsville, John T. Donovan, 43, and his wife, Cathrine A., 41, had the following children: Thomas Donovan, 13, John Donovan, 10, Bernadine, 9, and Kathleen, 6.

In the 1940 census of Pittsburgh, "Bernadine Donovan" is listed as a student nurse at St. Francis Hospital.

During World War II, Mary Bernadine Donovan served in the Navy Nurse Corps from May 4, 1943 until March 31, 1947. While still in service, Lieutenant Donovan married Lieutenant John J. Bohan.

In 1950, when Mary Bernadine filed for Veteran Compensation for her military service, she was living in Butler, Butler County, Pennsylvania.

John J. Bohan died on July 4, 1988.

Mary Bernadine Donovan Bohan died on July 6, 2002; last residence, Butler County, Pennsylvania.