Tess E. Cohen

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Tess E. Cohen, Edina, died on Jan. 4, 2002. She was 95 years of age, and, oh, what wonderful, active, fulfilling years they were. The cause of death was a whole bunch of 95-year-old parts wearing out, not including her mind, which was sharp and alert and probing until her last breath, and which ultimately understood and peacefully accepted that her time had come. Tess Cohen was born in Minneapolis and chose to live all her life in this community that she loved. Years ago, after her husband, Lou, retired, they changed their residency to Florida, on the advice of their accountant and attorney. Six months later, they changed it back, declaring that not being able to be in Minnesota half the year was a punishment too great for them to accept. She and Lou traveled all over the world, but this was always home. She was married to her beloved husband for 64 years, and they were inseparable and in love always. After his death, her deep love and bond with her family and friends enabled her to go on with her active, constantly busy life, and continue to make new, often much younger friends, and continue to be involved. On her last birthday, she marveled at the fact that she received 43 cards and letters from friends all over the country. ``Isn't it amazing, that someone my age would have so many friends who would take the trouble to send me greetings?'' she asked, over and over. And it was. Tess Cohen was a community volunteer, active in many organizations and committed to many causes during her lifetime. But a great part of her life was devoted to her family, and she was deeply involved with and, in her own way, protective of all of them. To the very end, they were always in her mind and heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha and Charles Smiler; and brother, Bernard Smiler. She is survived by her children, Margorie Zats and Burton Cohen, both of Minneapolis, and daughter-in-law, Rusty Cohen; grandchildren, Michael Cohen and wife Connie, Jeffrey Cohen and Susan Cohen, William Zats and wife Nancy, Randall Zats, and Jonathan Zats and wife Jill; great-grandchildren, Alexander Cohen, Nicholas Cohen, Benjamin Zats, Shira Zats, Laura Zats, Jacob Zats and Madeline Zats. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Rivkin Brown and husband Dick; sister-in-law, Florence Smiler; nephews, Rabbi Dan Wolk, David Rivkin and wife Jennifer and family, Stephen Rivkin, and Robert Rivkin and wife Vicki and family; niece, Helen Smiler and partner Marlene Johnson; nephew, Charles Smiler and wife Ruth and family; nieces, Irene Silverman and family, Dorothy Linsk and husband Joe and family, Elaine Cohen, Barbara Sherman and famly, Maryen Rivkin, and Ruth Raymond and family; great niece, Amy Rivkin; and great nephews, Charlie, Josh, Adam, Joey, and Sammy Rivkin. She is also survived by countless friends and acquaintances and family, people whose lives she somehow touched. All of them will be left with a treasure chest of happy memories. The family thanks Dr. Douglas Rachko and his staff for their longtime exceptional and dedicated care; companion Barbara Engman; and the many wonderful companions and caregivers who helped make her last years sunnier. Service will take place MONDAY, 1:30 PM at Hodroff & Sons Funeral Chapel, 126 East Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis. SHIVA 3912 Zenith Avenue South, Minneapolis (Mon. & Tues. 7 PM) In lieu of flowers, family suggests donations to Jewish Family and Children's Service, 13100 Wayzta Blvd., Suite 400, Minnetonka, MN 55305; or to People for Parks, c/o Louis Cohen Memorial Fund, 400 S. 4th St., Minneapolis, MN 55415; or to donor's choice.

Published on January 5, 2002