Diane Cohen née Engelhardt, of Hatfield, MA, passed away peacefully at home from advanced Alzheimer’s at the age of 86, enveloped by love from her family and her devoted Havanese dog, Lollipop. Born in Brooklyn, Diane was a voracious reader and studied dance for a year at Bennington College. At 17 she met Jerry on a blind date, who later became her husband of 66 years. To be close to him, she transferred to Barnard College in NYC, graduating with a BA in English. They married in 1955. Two years later Lisa was born, then Ilene and then Iris. She lived briefly in Augusta GA, then the Bronx and then settled in Tarrytown NY for most of her life. For 36 years, she and Jerry had a second home in Conway, MA and finally in Naples, FL, before moving back to New England to be close to family.
She and her best friend ran two tennis boutiques in Westchester County during the heyday of tennis. She was a very skilled tennis player, winning many trophies and club championships. One of the highlights of her life was playing with Rod Laver and Roy Emerson at tennis camp. She and Jerry passed down their passion for tennis to their grandchildren, and taught and watched them play over many years. Later in her professional career she helped manage Jerry’s medical practice as the bookkeeper and office manager.
First and foremost in her life, she dedicated herself to raising their three daughters. She was forever grateful when her granddaughter was cured of leukemia and pledged early on to do whatever she could to give back; she became President of the Child Life Program at White Plains (NY) hospital, working with terminally ill children. Diane was a sensational cook who loved to throw dinner parties and no one ever went home hungry. She and Jerry traveled the world, tasting exotic foods and wines. An avid knitter, she outfitted friends and family alike. Diane walked miles and/or swam almost every day of her adult life and learned Pilates from Joe himself. She practiced Pilates for over 50 years and became a certified instructor in her 70’s. She was an avid scrabble player and could whiz through the NYT crossword puzzle every day. Even Sunday!
She is survived by her husband Gerald A Cohen, her three daughters, Lisa Ekus of Hatfield MA, Ilene Cohen (Rick Waldrup) of Dillon MT, and Iris Porush of Williamsburg VA, her five grandchildren, Sally Ekus of Florence MA, Amelia Ekus (Levi Miller) of Brooklyn NY, Alex Porush of NYC, Scott Porush (Kayla) of Williamsburg, VA and Mark Waldrup of Dillon MT, and her great grandchild Maybelline, all of whom brought the light to her eyes and a smile to her face. She adored them. She was predeceased by her loving sister Adrienne Dahncke.
She was completely family oriented and taught us all the values of being kind and compassionate in this world. Jerry was and always will be the love of her life. And she of his.
The family thanks the incredibly loving and caring team at Rockridge and her team of hospice nurses for their extraordinary care. Her long-time home aides Serena and Cece made her life better every day. There are no better people on this earth.
In keeping with the wishes of Diane there will be no formal service.
In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society via check payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society/New England Chapter PO Box 22471 New York, NY 10087-2471 or donate online at www.LLS.org or to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice 168 Industrial Dr Northampton MA 01060. Memo note: in Memory of Diane Cohen.