Happy Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, we honor all the mothers and mother figures whose love, guidance, and influence shape who we become. 

Beth Freitag, who’s been with MSH since 2001, met Sunday School teacher Elaine Campbell when she was four years old. 

“She and her husband had no children of their own, and she became like a second mother to me,” Beth said. “Throughout childhood, I spent many weekend afternoons with them at their old house or exploring Ohio. I called her my Godmother early on because she was so much more than a friend.”

Over the years, Elaine taught Beth many things, especially the art of beading. 

“We would spend hours creating designs and stringing beads together,” Beth said. “She started a business, and we did art shows together throughout the state. She inspired me to start a business in my early 20s, and we continued doing shows together for years.”

Elaine instilled in Beth a love of old houses, big dogs, and books—interests Beth carried into her adult life. They traveled together often, lived together for a time after high school, and throughout every stage of life, Elaine was a voice of reason and source of practical advice. 

“She showed me what courage looked like,” Beth said, recalling Elaine’s two battles with cancer. 

A Special Education Director and teacher for Zanesville City Schools for nearly her entire career, Elaine passed away in 2011, but her influence still lives on today. 

“My daughter is named Grace Elaine to honor and remember her,” Beth shared.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at MSH.