Donna Howard Obituary

Donna Joan Fowler Howard
AIKEN - Donna Joan Fowler was born March 21, 1935 and died January 9, 2023. She is predeceased by her loving husband James Joseph Howard III of 67 years and beloved son James J. Howard IV. She leaves behind her siblings: Lynn Pasquerette (Jim), Margo Hagan (Charlie), Cleta Hartman (John), Jan McKibben (Jeff) , Billy Fowler; children: Cathy Gagnon (Ray), Chris Andres (Byron), Bill Howard (Tracy), and widowed daughter-in-law Jean Howard; grandchildren: Jessica Joniec (Jim), James J. Howard V, Nicole Gagnon, Dana Howard-Johnston (Land), Jack Andres, Donna Andres, Danny Howard, Tommy Howard, and Billy Howard; great grandchildren: Ezra Howard-Johnston and James J. Howard VI.
Donna grew up in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, where she met Jim. She was not just the matriarch of the family; she was the glue that held it together. Donna kept up with everyone in the family and was the type of person that you could call at any time of the day. She absolutely loved to spoil her family and was the reason for so many memorable family trips and get togethers. Donna also supported everyone whether she was cheering on their accomplishments or was a shoulder to cry on. Many of her years were also spent being a supportive wife to Jim where they not only traveled across the United States, but across the world. She was the epitome of the saying "behind every good man is a great woman". Throughout their travels, Donna built just as many, if not more relationships than Jim and as a result, she could walk through any airport and run into somebody she knew.
Donna is well known for her Christian faith; she was a devout Catholic who made sure to say her rosary every morning before she started her day. She truly loved connecting and helping others, especially children. While living in Sun Valley, Idaho and Minnesota she devoted much of her time as a Guardian ad litem and a hospice worker. She was also famously known throughout the neighborhood for being the mom who all the children would go to for help with their schoolwork.
In 2012, Donna and Jim didn't hesitate to help care for 2 of their grandchildren when an emergency in the family happened. This is how they discovered Aiken, South Carolina, and they quickly realized this was the place where they wanted to spend the rest of their years. In 2013 they decided to make the big move from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She absolutely loved Aiken, from Steeplechase to Aiken's Makin's, she loved all the events put on by the town. Many of the friends Donna made in Aiken turned into relationships that are better described as family. She couldn't wait to entertain family and friends, especially for Saturday afternoon football. She loved to watch and bet on teams no matter which one was playing, although she did become partial to Clemson.
Anyone who knew Donna couldn't help but love her, she was an honest, genuine, and Christian woman who loved being around her family and friends. The family is truly blessed to have this woman watching over them now.
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