Cuyahoga County Judge Nancy McDonnell Dies

CUYUHOGA COUNTY, OH — Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Nancy McDonnell died Tuesday afternoon, according to a news release from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. She passed away with her husband, John Kosko, by her side.

A cause of death has not been released.

According to the court, McDonnell spent nearly 25 years on the bench, serving as the court's first female administrative and presiding judge from 2006-2009.

“Judge McDonnell was, quite simply, one of the strongest persons I have ever known,” says current Administrative and Presiding Judge Brendan J. Sheehan. “This is a sad day for our Court and Judge Nancy McDonnell’s extended personal and professional family. However, we, and the citizens of Cuyahoga County, were fortunate to have had her on our Bench and in our lives.”

Lakewood Mayor Meghan F. George said she was sad to learn of McDonnell's passing.

"She was a member of our Lakewood community and a dedicated public servant. She also previously served as a magistrate in our Lakewood Municipal Court. Our hearts go out to her entire family and friends at this time," George said.

A Cleveland-area native, McDonnell was a graduate of Regina High School in South Euclid, The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.

Before joining the Bench in 1997, she served as an Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor in the Major Trial Division and was a Magistrate in the Lakewood Municipal Court.

She leaves behind her husband and three children.