Donna Johnson

Donna Elizabeth Johnson, 68, of Coshocton, Ohio, passed away at her residence, with her family at her side, on Friday, October 21, 2011. She was born in Tarrytown, New York, on October 12, 1943, the daughter of the late Anthony and Gertrude (Shaw) Capossela. Donna graduated from Our Lady of Victory High School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, in 1961, and from Oswego State University in New York with a B.A. in Education in 1965. Donna also attended The Ohio State University, and graduated from Ohio University with a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. She was first employed in Coshocton as a substitute teacher in the Coshocton City School System from 1976-1980. Donna began her career at the Coshocton County Joint Vocational School District from 1980-1984 as an English and Social Studies teacher, she became the Adult Education Supervisor from 1984-1999, and she was then named Superintendent in March of 1999, and continued in the capacity until her retirement in December of 2007. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Ohio Vocational Association (Ohio Association of Technical Education), American Vocational Association; National Education Association; Delta Kappa Gamma; the Coshocton Area Personnel Association; a former member of the Business and Professional Women in Coshocton; Coshocton Rotary Club; Green Valley Garden Club; and the Coshocton Town and Country Garden Club. Donna is survived by her three children, Anthony (Yumi) Johnson of San Francisco, California, Kathleen (Tim) Brillhart of Coshocton, Ohio, Elizabeth (Evans) Manolis of Amherst, New Hampshire, her grandchildren, Gwyneth and Erika Johnson, Jesse, Anthony, and Kassidy Brillhart, and Nicholas, Connor, and Molly Manolis. She is also survived by her brother, Anthony (Diane) Capossela of Sandy Hook, Conn., and close friends, Judy Corbett, Father William Hritsko, and Carol Lawless of Coshocton, Ohio. A Funeral Mass will be held in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Coshocton, Ohio, on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 10:30am, with Father William Hritsko officiating. The family will receive friends and neighbors at Given-Dawson Funeral Home, 186 Park Ave., Coshocton, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 25, 2011, from 4pm to 8pm, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:45pm, and from 9am to 10am on Wednesday. Following the Mass, cremation will take place, and her remains will be interred at a later date. For those who wish contributions may be directed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 805 Main St. Coshocton, Ohio, 43812.