Donna Sue Bowling Richard Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Donna Sue Bowling Richard was born September 14, 1943 in New Boston, OH, to the late Gladys R. Flaugher Bowling Wells & Douglas H. Bowling. She passed away unexpectedly at home on January 25, 2021. She was a 1961 graduate of Glenwood High School, New Boston, OH. As a single Mom, she put herself through college and graduated in 1984 from the The Ohio State University, the same year her son graduated from high school. Donna is survived by her only son, David Scott Richard of Columbus, OH. He was not only her son, but her best friend. She is also survived by sisters Norma Jean Bowling Emshwiller (Ralph), New Boston; and Sharon Bowling Cornwell Thompson (Dennis), Naples, Fl., as well as a brother, Marvin D. Bowling (Sharon K.), Grove City, OH. Also surviving are sisters in law, Carolyn Douglas Bowling (Gerald), Heath, OH and Kathryn Lawson Bowling (Isaac), Cheyenne, WY. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by brothers Lonnie S. Bowling (Jackie), Pt. Pleasant, WVA, Isaac Milburn Bowling, Cheyenne, WY, and Gerald D. Bowling, Newark, OH. She is also survived by her very dear friend, David Covey of Port Orange, FL., who was much more like a brother to her. She will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, great nieces & great nephews whom she loved dearly and who thought she was a really cool Aunt. While working as a Special Events Coordinator at the Wexner Center for the Performing Arts at The Ohio State University, she met the famous ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov who was performing there. He invited her to become his tour manager and she then spent a few years traveling the world with him and choreographer Twyla Thorpe and their dance troupe. Afterwards, she held the same position with famous choreographer Merce Cunningham, as well as Twyla and their respective dance troupes. After living several years in New York, she and her son moved back to Columbus, OH, to be closer to family. Donna was an amazing amateur photographer. She provided a digital memory of all of the important events in the lives of her family. Family events will not be the same without her tireless efforts to capture those memories forever. She also shared her talent with friends and would sometimes surprise her neighbors with framed prints of themselves. Donna left an impression everywhere she went. People were drawn to her throughout her life. She made everyone feel important. Children were especially drawn to her because she would get at their eye level and talk to them about whatever was on their mind. She was very open minded and accepting of everyone, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. She treated everyone equally, with dignity and respect. Donna was a life-long learner. She was curious and spent a lot of time researching things that were of interest to her. She was a great conversationalist and loved to debate. She prided herself on having the facts to back up her convictions. Donna was a lover of ALL ARTS. She loved movies, theater, paintings, music, sculpture & jewelry. In addition, she also loved fine dining and considered dining out as more of an experience than one of filling your stomach. She shared a lot of these experiences with her son. Donna loved nature. As a child, she spent many days climbing the hills around the homes on the street where she grew up—going up to White Rock and looking at the purported signature of Daniel Boone. In recent years, she especially loved walking in the park near her apartment. Donna loved animals—all animals. She had many special pets in her life, with the last one being her darling little dog Jasper—he was like a grandchild to her. He never left her side; in fact, he was probably there with her when she took her last breath. To borrow a saying from an unknown source, “WE CRY BECAUSE SHE IS GONE. WE SMILE BECAUSE SHE LIVED.” There will be no service due to COVID-19. A memorial for the family will be planned at another time. You may leave remembrances of Donna on the Rutherford Funeral Home web page, Obituaries | Rutherford Funeral Homes - Columbus, OH According to her wishes, she will be cremated and her ashes strewn on the streets of NEW YORK and from White Rock in her hometown of New Boston, OH. If you would like to do something in remembrance of Donna, please PAY IT FORWARD through this organization Farm Animals Donation | Heifer International or another charity of your choice. Donna was always looking out for the LEAST OF THEM (Matthew 25:40 - …whatever you did for the least of them, you did for me.)

Donna Sue Bowling Richard

September 19, 1943 - January 25, 2021