| Graduation Year | Class of 1958 |
| Date of Passing | Jun 14, 2010 |
| About | Helen S. McDonald-Cowherd, the first born of Frank B. (deceased) and Ruth Marion (nee Greene) McDonald came into this world on November 27th, 1940. She was born at the MacDonald House, University Hospitals of Cleveland, in Cleveland, OH. Following a lengthy illness, she departed this life on June 14th, 2010. After obtaining her diploma from Zanesville High School in 1958, Helen graduated from Meredith Business College. She moved to Columbus, OH where she worked for the Department of Agriculture for several years. Helen met and married her beloved husband of 44 years, John Ernest Cowherd, on May 20 1966, when they both were employed at the Department of Agriculture in Columbus, OH. To this union two sons were born: John Kevin and Jason Ernest. Helen and John moved to Washington, DC where they lived for approximately 35 years. Helen worked at Howard University for nearly 20 years and during that time she graduated summa cum laude in 1980 from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and a minor in Gerontology. They moved to Xenia, OH on May 5, 2000, where Helen worked at Central State University until her retirement on October 31, 2009. Helen served as the Administrative Assistant to two presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Howard University in Washington, DC and Central State University in Wilberforce, OH. Helen leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, John; two sons, Kevin and Jason; mother, Ruth McDonald; one uncle, Robert Greene; eight siblings, Patricia, Frank (Linda), Esther, David (Tina), Nathan (Cassandra), James (Lisa), Rebekah (Jonathan) Lampley, and John. Her sister, Rachel, passed away two years ago on July 6, 2008. Helen so often passionately shared stories of her husband's family and now leaves four sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends will fondly remember Helen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen's honor to: Howard University, Development and Alumni Relations, 2225 Georgia Ave NW, Suite 901, Washington, DC 20059 or Central State University Foundation, 1400 Brush Row Rd., PO Box 1004, Wilberforce, OH 45384. Memorial service Friday, June 18th, 2010 11 a.m. Apostolic Christian Church, 1148 Ridge Ave., Zanesville, OH where the family will receive friends 10 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment at Zanesville Memorial Park Zanesville, OH. |
