| Graduation Year | Class of 1960 |
| Date of Birth | Jul 15, 1942 |
| Date of Passing | Jul 13, 2024 |
| About | I write this in the first person to let you know that I lived, loved and died. I will go into the here-after with a smile and looking forward to seeing my Mom and Dad and the three babies that never made it to life. Thelma Louise Cohagen died on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Genesis Hospital. I was born July 15, 1942 in Zanesville, the daughter of Mona Angles and Robert Mathew. I started school in a one room schoolhouse and graduated from Zanesville High School in 1960 and Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing in 1963. I practiced in almost all fields of nursing throughout my career. I wanted to see what each area meant to others. I worked at both Bethesda and Good Samaritan Hospitals, shift nurse at Essix Wire, Director of Nursing for Helen Purcell Home, Federal Medicare and retired from the Ohio Department of Health in 2009 after many years of service. What gave me the most satisfaction was when I was campaigning for better care and the rights of all persons. I was active in the community as a past 4-H advisor, 20-year Service Employees International Union Board member, past President of Civic League Board, Bethesda Alumni, Class of 1960 Zanesville High School Alumni and past secretary of the Muskingum County Republican Women’s Club. I volunteered for many organizations when and where I felt there was a need and without being asked or being an official member of any of them. My profession and varying board activities afforded me the opportunity to travel across this great county and I appreciated all that was given me. I was politically active and didn’t mind sharing my views on a subject regardless of party affiliations. I did understand that we are all entitled to our own opinions and that doesn’t make us less worthy. I never met a stranger. I believed that everyone deserved a chance to do well in life. I enjoyed animals of all kinds, sewing, crafts and anything that challenged my abilities and mind or that brought joy to others. I never really cared for my name until the movie “Thelma and Louise”. It was fun to reference that movie and my name often saying I was both homicidal and suicidal and you got to choose which. I always said that I wanted to have the “Last word” and now I have had it! I started to write this obituary and eulogy long before my death, as well as making my shroud. I never bought into any man-made religion but was a woman of great faith. I believed in miracles and praised God for the miracles he gave me in my health struggles over many years. I cared deeply for those around me and for those who needed someone to believe in them. Sometimes my frankness caused people to shy away. My favorite saying came from my Grandpaw, “Time is money and we can’t afford to waste either one!” I leave behind my loving husband and best friend, Roger Cohagen of the home; daughters, April (John) Gibson and Crystal (Gary) Browning of Zanesville, “adult adoption” children Mary and Scot Durst of Nashport who have provided me with such wonderful friendship, Danielle Mason, Judge Maria Kalis; grandchildren Lakyn Browning and Blake Browning of Zanesville and Liberty Durst and Jhonen Durst of Nashport, Lydia Durst and Manny McCoy of Arizona; great grandson Jax of Zanesville; half brother David (Donna) Mathew of Dresden and half sister B.J. (Ray) McFadden of Newcomerstown; brother in-law Rod (Jeanie) Cohagen, ex sister in-law Carol Sue Mix and several beloved cousins including Mona Powell, Danny Angles, Beth Allen and Linda Hughes and several nieces, nephews, and friends. I cared about all those young women that I considered “daughters”. I dearly loved my sister-friend, Karen Stotts. I was preceded in death by my wonderful mother, my beloved dad, Bob Blake, father Robert Mathew, half sister Carolyn Ankrum Hare, cousins Dan Smith, Sandy Harry, and Terry Angles; brothers and sisters in-law, Ronald (Marlene) and Rich (Judy) Cohagen, niece Molly Udder and the father of my children, Larry Taft. Friends and family may call Thursday, July 18, 2024, from 2pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral home, 110 West Third Street. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Friday, July 19, 2024, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Frazeysburg Cemetery. |
