Donnette M. (Cox) Kothera

Donnette M. (Cox) Kothera, age 84, passed away on Thursday August 26, 2021 at UH Portage Medical Center. She was born on July 30, 1937 in Ravenna, Ohio to Kenneth and Josephine (Pellegrini) Cox. She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Raymond Franckhauser, and second husband, Edwin Kothera, who passed away on August 26, 1996.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelann (Harry) Rager; stepdaughter, Cheyrl (Steve) Schwind; grandchildren, Stephanie (Andy) Jalwan and Jennifer (Steve) McVay; great-grandchildren, Porter, Bridgette, Graham and Calliope; brother, Kenneth Cox; and sister, Patricia Earle; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Donnette grew up in Ravenna and later moved to Kent. She was a resident of Kent, Brady Lake, most of her life, and she was a familiar face in the community. She was a graduate of Theodore Roosevelt High School, class of 1956. After high school she attended Gerber Beauty School in Akron, Ohio. She was a long-time member of the Brady Lake Women’s Club as well as St. Patrick’s Church in Kent.

After becoming a widow at a young age, she re-married, Ed, in 1959.  She went on to own a beauty shop in Kent. She and Ed shared a passion for travel to many exciting places including Europe, Mexico, and New Zealand.  They also shared a love of car racing, and they both worked for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series for about 20 years.  On any given weekend between February and October, you could find them at the racetrack. She was a race car scorer for Bill Elliot and Mark Martin.  Over the years they made so many wonderful friends.

After closing the beauty shop, Donnette began working at Kent State University. She enjoyed working in the campus bookstore and later, in various campus dining halls. She always offered a friendly smile and enjoyed talking with the college students. She retired in 2009 after working there for about 28 years.

In the years following her retirement from KSU, she developed a love of card playing, making cards and painting. You were very lucky to receive one of her beautiful cards for your birthday or be given something she spent time painting. During these years she also spent time with two faithful companions, her dogs, Chloe and most recently Penny Lane. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family especially her daughter, granddaughters, and great-grandchildren. Her face would light up with a beautiful smile whenever she saw her great-grandchildren: Porter, Bridgette, Graham and Calliope.

Donnette, “Mom”, “Ma” and “Gigi”, will be greatly missed by her family, friends and her beloved dog, Penny Lane.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at St. Patrick Church, 313 N. Depeyster St. Kent, Ohio. Burial at Standing Rock Cemetery to follow and then a Celebration of Life after at Events at Parkside, 6500 Lakeview Dr. Kent, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Portage County Animal Protective League, 8122 Infirmary Road, Ravenna, Ohio 44266, in memory of her.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 West Main Street, Kent, OH 44240.