Mary Ann Cowden

Mary A. Cowden, 100, of Philo passed away peacefully on December 1, 2017 at Cedar Hill Care Center under the care of Genesis Hospice.  She was born on May 16, 1917 in Zanesville, the daughter of the late John and Nellie Sheck.

Mary was a very hard working lady!  She began her career at a very young age working for the Sonora Mill; she worked for M&K Grocery as well as the Mosaic Tile Company, she worked several years for the Newberry Company both in Cleveland and in Zanesville and for the J.C. Penny Company in Zanesville; she started working for the Ohio Ferro Alloy in 1950 where she worked as a load Dispatcher until she retired in 1979; and at age 67 she began volunteering at the Old Town Antique Mall in Zanesville and continued working until her health began to fail.

Mary had a passion for gardening and her flowers, she served as secretary of the Muskingum County Council of Garden Clubs for 12 years, the secretary of the Twin Cities Garden Club for 18 years, she served as secretary and she helped to organize the Bethesda Centennial Rose Society and served at a member for four years and she was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church and the Alter Rose Society in Philo, but the most important love in her life was her husband Homer.

Mary is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Anna Mae and Frank Steel; two special grandchildren Julie Lyons and Kimberly (Geoff) Neff both of Lancaster; her great-grandson Jason (Ashlee) Homman; several great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband Homer M. Cowden, who passed away November 5, 2003; her grandson Kelly Homman; two brothers Michael and Stanley “Al” Sheck and two sisters Sophia Brown and Anna Gilbert.

Friends and family are welcome to attend calling hours for Mary at the Farus Funeral Home of Duncan Falls from 4 to 6 pm, Tuesday, December 5, 2017.  Funeral Services will be held 11 am, Wednesday at the Funeral Home with Fr. Sullivan as celebrant.  She will be laid to rest in the Duncan Falls Cemetery.

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