Jane Cotter Cohen, age 95, of Evergreen Woods, North Branford, formerly of Derby and New Haven, passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2015, at CT Hospice.
She was predeceased by her husband, David, her son Andy (Beatrice) and her grandson, Daniel. She is survived by her son Jamie (Fran DeToro), grandson Matthew (Sheri), granddaughter Virginie, and great-granddaughter Dylan.
Born in Cambridge, MA, Jane was raised and lived in Quincy, MA until age 11, when her parents, James and Esther Cotter, died within a year of one another. She then came to New Haven and lived in the family homes of her mother’s siblings, Shirley Schapiro and Morris Nunes. She later went to High School in the Bronx while living with her cousins, and graduated in 1938 as Salutatorian of her class. Returning to New Haven, she began work in the Shubert Theater box office, where her Uncle Morris was a partner with Maurice Bailey in running the theater. In 1941, she was introduced to David Cohen (1913-91), a Derby lawyer, and they were married the following year. While her husband was in the Army during World War II, Jane lived in the home of David’s parents, the gracious and generous Jennie and Meyer Cohen, for whom Jane was always grateful.
Thereafter, son Jamie was born in 1946, son Andy in 1950; grandchildren Matthew, Danny and Virginie followed along the way; and Jane was able to enjoy years with daughters-in-law Fran and Bea, granddaughter-in-law Sheri, and great-granddaughter Dylan. Jane finally had the chance to go to college in 1956, entering NHSTC (now SCSU) as a 35 year old freshman. She kept with it, made the Dean’s List, got her BS and MS degrees, and embarked upon a career as a Guidance Counselor at Derby’s Middle School and High School, while maintaining her home and family, and becoming increasingly involved in the Valley nonprofit community. Jane served as chairwoman of Valley Red Cross Blood Drives, President of the Griffin Hospital Auxiliary, and as a Director of the Derby Public Library for 25 years.
A confirmed and inveterate traveler, Jane’s journeys carried her to 38 countries all over the world. Through her personal example, she demonstrated to her family the importance of education, ethical conduct and community involvement, as well as the diversity and joy of literature, theater, music, dance, art, food, culture and life itself.
On Wednesday, January 13, at 11:00am, a memorial service, led by Rabbi Herbert Brockman of Temple Mishkan Israel, will take place at the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road (Route 110), Shelton. Friends are welcome and invited to visit with the family at the Funeral Home from 10:00 am until the start of the service.
In 1951, Jane started a Book Fund to benefit the Derby Public Library. Today, that Fund, now a component fund at the Valley Community Foundation (VCF), produces annual income which allows that Public Library to purchase books it could not otherwise afford. In lieu of flowers, contributions to this Fund in Jane’s memory would be most welcome, and can be made as follows: Cohen Family Book Fund, c/o VCF, 253A Elizabeth Street, Derby, CT 06418.
