Funeral Details

Evelyn Ruth (nee Cohen) Cohen

Just 29 days shy of her 96th birthday, the end of an era; resident of Deerfield, IL, since 2013, of Lincolnshire, IL from 2006 to 2013, of Glencoe, IL, from 1977 to 2006, and of Winnetka, IL, from 1949 to 1977; born at Chicago, IL, April 21, 1918, died at Deerfield, IL, March 23, 2014; beloved wife from December 12, 1943 (at the Belden Stratford Hotel, Chicago, IL, by Rabbi Felix Levy) until his death, of the late Arnold Aaron "Babe" Cohen (May 19, 1919 to May 11, 2005; not a blood relative), son of the late Samuel A. Cohen a/k/a Sam Kahn and Anna (nee Chimerofsky) Cohen of Chicago, IL, and Union Pier, MI, and stepson of the late Pearl (nee Buckner) Kahn; loving mother of Marlene Ann Cohen (Arnold Bernard Kaber, Ph.D.) of Dallas, TX, and Stuart Lee (Rolly Susan, nee Stein) Cohen of Highland Park, IL; devoted grandmother, "Grandma Evie", of Carly Ruth Kaber and Stacy Michelle Kaber, and Harris Matthew Cohen and Abra Beth Cohen. Evelyn grew up in Chicago's Columbus Park neighborhood, primarily from 1926 to 1938 on the second floor of a two-flat at 5552 W. Congress St. owned and occupied by Jacob and Belle (nee Kadison) Cohn (not related), owners of Continental Coffee Co. 1932 graduate of Emmet Elementary School, 1936 graduate of Austin High School, attended Northwestern University from 1936 to 1937, 1941 graduate of Central YMCA College (predecessor to Roosevelt University) with a BA in Sociology, and did graduate studies in the School of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago; worked as a social worker for the Cook County Bureau of Public Welfare; confirmed at Washington Boulevard Temple, Chicago, IL, by Rabbi Samuel Schwartz, June 5, 1932; and member since 1955 of North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, IL. In her later years, Evelyn was a member of the Johanna Lodge of the United Order of True Sisters, and she also was an avid bridge player until the end. Evelyn lived with slow progressive multiple sclerosis for over 70 years but never complained about her lot. Evelyn's neurologist, Dr. Howard L. Lipton, MD, said he never heard of a patient surviving with MS for that long. Hopefully her longevity will encourage others afflicted with this malady that they, too, can lead long and happy lives. Evelyn was the especially devoted daughter of the late Max and Mayme (nee Burton) Cohen (who lived to be 94) of Chicago, IL; last surviving grandchild of her paternal grandparents, the late Zalman and Ita (nee Heller) Katz of Zasliai, Lithuania, and last surviving grandchild (except her first cousin Myles Phillip Burton of LA, CA) of her maternal grandparents, the late Meyer and Sarah Rosa (nee Brenner) Burton (who lived to be 95) of Elgin, IL, and originally of Virbalis and Vilkija, Lithuania, respectively; great-granddaughter of the late Rebecca (nee Goldfarb) Brenner (who lived to be 98) of Chicago, IL, and originally of Vilkija, Lithuania, and the late Ethel (nee Kreeger o/k/a Pracherkrug) Burton of Chicago, IL, and originally of Virbalis, Lithuania; darling baby sister by ten years of the late William (the late Byrde, nee Levy, and the late Virginia Ann, nee Carlson, Dieskow Lamprakes) Coleman, and the late Marvin Henry (the late Charlotte Ruth, nee Klein, and Lillian, nee Goodman, Sager) Coleman; fond sister-in-law of the late Fay, nee Cohen, (the late Eugene) Epstein, the late Jerome (the late Muriel, nee Lichtenstein, and the late Gertrude, nee Sobel, Mantell) Conn, the late Bernard (the late Elaine Shirley, nee Geller, and Joanne Carol, nee Nobilio, Prokop) Kahn, and Maxine Beth, nee Kahn, (Michael Jay) Topper; beloved Aunt, Grandaunt, and Great-Grandaunt Evie of many; loyal lifelong friend of Anna Lee (nee Groll) Devorkin, the late Telsa (nee Perlman) Dorfman, the late Betty (nee Meilach) Ridker, the late Norma (nee Lipshitz) Tenenbaum, and the late Annette (nee Cooper) Olsman, who introduced Evelyn and Arnold at Central YMCA College in 1938. In lieu of flowers, contributions to National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 525 W. Monroe St., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60661, 800.344.4867, www.msillinois.org, would be appreciated. Service Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at 12 noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 N. Skokie Blvd. (at Niles Center Rd.), Skokie, IL. Interment at Zion Gardens Cemetery (f/k/a Rosemont Park Cemetery), 6758 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals-Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com