Valerie D. Cohen

Valerie Delores Cohen, age 105 and eight months, died in East Providence on April 24th, 2017, with her granddaughters, Sandra Medeiros and Paula Chace, by her side. Valerie was a longtime resident at Waterview Villa Rehabilitation in East Providence and the oldest resident of the city of East Providence.

Born August 17, 1911 in Orange, New Jersey to Alma AuClaire and John A. Deary, Valerie was married to the late Sumner A. Cohen. Her brothers were the late Richard Deary and the late Raymond Deary. Valerie was the mother of five children, including the late Patricia Belanger, Suzanne Frost, and Stuart David Cohen, and the surviving Gloria Ledoux (CAN) and Margaret Decoteaux (ME). She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, including Sandra Medeiros (RI), Paula Chace (RI), Valerie McKenney (NH), and Susan Belanger (RI), thirty-one great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, including Kenneth Blumberg, Alan Weinberg, Donald Weinberg, and Hilary C. Zwicker.

Valerie was a Cosmetologist in RI and in Florida in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Valerie loved art and made time to enjoy oil painting and illustration. Her personal art gallery was her collection of paintings over many years. Many of her paintings have now become cherished works to her family members to remember her beautiful life. Valerie’s life was one based on a positive attitude. Always displaying a kind smile and offering great conversation, Valerie would end a visit with memorable warm embraces. She loved being with her family. Music, dancing, great movies, and Broadway musical productions were her favorites. As time goes by, she will live on in all of her fifty-two grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 28th at Noon at Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI. Donations may be made to the Valerie D. Cohen Memorial Fund, c/o Waterview Villa Residence Council, Waterview Villa Rehabilitation, 1275 South Broadway, East Providence, RI 02914.

 

2 Comments

  1. Cathy Burnett
    Apr 27, 2017

    My thoughts are with you Sandy. What a loving tribute to her exceptionally long life. May all of her descendants inherit her love of life, her love of family and her longevity. She had a life well lived.

  2. JP
    Apr 27, 2017

    I am so glad I had a chance to meet Valerie. She had such a vibrant spirit. As a CNA, I was meant to take care of her, but she often took care of me without even knowing it. She always had a friendly attitude and kind words for everyone she met. I always looked forward to spending time with her, and I will always hold a special place in my heart for Valerie.

Leave a Reply to Cathy Burnett Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*