Shirley E. Cohn

DATELINE: Warwick

Cohn, Shirley E. (Davidson), 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late Jerome B. Cohn for 38 years.

Born in New London, CT, a daughter of the late David and Anna Davidson, she was a resident of Warwick, previously living in Hilton Head, SC and the San Francisco Bay area of California.

Devoted mother of Susan Sweeney and her husband Edward of South Kingstown, Lawrence Cohn and his wife Mary of Menlo Park, CA and the late Roberta Nahigian (Ralph). Loving grandmother of Laurie Deignan (Kevin), Rebecca Sardinskas (Gregory), and Francesca Cohn.  Cherished “Nanny Shirley” to her great-grandchildren Allyson, Kelly, Noah, Grace, Christopher and Matthew.

Dear sister of the late Kenneth Davidson, Geraldine Greenberg, Murial Rosenthal, Irene Wolfe and Rosalind Tarlow. She was an adored aunt and a dear friend to many.

During WWII, Shirley contributed to the war effort by being a “Rosie the Riveter” and manufacturing guns at Colt in Hartford every evening after her day job. She waited for Jerry Cohn during the war and married him when he returned.  Shirley and Jerry owned Triangle Confectionary in Pawtucket for many years before retiring and moving to California.  While in California they opened Puckers and served frozen lemonade to many residents of Berkeley who lined up around the block.  Shirley was fondly known as “Mrs. Puckers” to all the children who visited Fairyland, USA in Oakland, CA.  After her husband’s death, she moved back to the East Coast. Shirley worked for The Hartford, in Simsbury, CT and The Chamber of Commerce in Hilton Head, SC.

Shirley had an adventurous spirit. She loved flying in a biplane to a nearby glacier and whitewater rafting in Alaska.  Istanbul and Portugal were both highlights of her travels.

Shirley taught herself to knit and crafted many beautiful family heirlooms that are worn and enjoyed by all her family members.   The opera was a great enjoyment for Shirley, and she loved watching the Metropolitan operas live at the Showcase Cinema.  The time spent at Bonnet Shores every summer with family was cherished time for her. She loved dining out, trying adventurous foods and especially eating ice cream with family and friends.

The family is especially grateful to her caregiver and dear friend, Joanne Griffith, and Maureen Sullivan whose friendship and wonderful home cooked meals were very much enjoyed, as well as her companions from Home Instead Senior Care.  The family would also like to acknowledge the kindness and care of the staff at Brentwood Nursing Home.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 22, 2021 at 11:00 am via Zoom. Shiva will be private.

To view a recording of the service, please Click Here.

 

10 Comments

  1. MARY MAGUIRE
    Mar 18, 2021

    Dear Susan and Terry and children, Steve and Debbie just alerted me to your loss. I am so sorry you have lost your lovely Mother. I met her at the beach several times and she sure seemed to love her time at Bonnet with her family. It was great to read about her interesting life! Again, so sorry that all of you have suffered this loss. Love from Mary Maguire

  2. Sandra Davidson
    Mar 18, 2021

    Sorry for your loss.

  3. Doreen M Auriemma
    Mar 18, 2021

    Dear Sue and Family,

    Very sorry for your loss. I know how much your mom meant to you and your family. She was a truly a great grandmother and an exceptional great grandma an all around wonderful person.

    Truly sorry for your loss,
    Doreen Auiremma

  4. June and Dan Couture
    Mar 18, 2021

    Dear Sue and Terry and Family,
    Our heart goes out to you all on the loss of Mom-Grand Mom Shirley. We always enjoyed her visits to the beach. She was such a lady. Little did we know about her adventurous life.
    She lived life to the fullest. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    June and Dan Couture

  5. Anne Dunne
    Mar 18, 2021

    So sorry for your loss Susan and Terry

  6. Mark Maguire
    Mar 18, 2021

    Dear Sue, Terry, and Family:

    Sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed talking with Shirley when she visited Bonnet. It was nice that she and my mom would sometimes keep each other company too. I enjoyed learning about her life and adventures. My best to you all.
    Mark Maguire

  7. Buzz Tarlow
    Mar 20, 2021

    Dear Susan, Larry, Grandkids and Great Grandkids. We loved Shirley very much. She was always kind, open and most of all enthusiastic about almost everything. I will always remember the warmth and love she showed for my mother. She was a great friend to my father too. We will miss her tough take on politics and her cheerful resolution that things would change. And they did! I remember the great visit I had with her and Susan a year ago. I have great admiration for the way she lived her life. Her memory will always be with me. My best wishes to all of you at this sad time. Cousin Buzz

  8. BRENDA AND DAVID
    Mar 22, 2021

    Rebecca and Family,

    Sending all our love and prayers to you all during this difficult time. Nanny Shirley was an amazing woman and one of our (Mizzi’s) biggest fans! She will be missed.

    Love, Brenda, David, Leana and Brady

  9. Ed Rosenthal
    Mar 23, 2021

    Such a capable and compassionate person whose support and kindness I will never forget,

  10. Bruce Wasser
    Apr 26, 2021

    Larry,
    Here’s a voice you haven’t heard since 1962. I lived on Washington Ave. and you were one or two streets north of us.
    We moved out when I was 6 or 7 and I’m sorry we never kept in touch.
    I’m sorry to hear of your mother’s passing but it did give me an opportunity to talk to you.
    Best regards to your family,
    Bruce Wasser

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