Obituary of Florence W. Cohen

Florence W. Cohen died peacefully in her sleep on Monday morning, May 15, 2017. She was 95.

A lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY, Mrs. Cohen lived in Fairport, NY since 2005. She left a legacy of community service for over five decades. Mrs. Cohen earned a Bachelor's of Science degree with a double major in Food and Nutrition and Chemistry from Michigan State University.

To Mrs. Cohen, serving others was not a half-hearted endeavor; she considered it a "tremendous responsibility," she told a reporter. The plethora of agencies where she devoted her time and talents testifies to her commitment.

Her community work began in 1953 with Girl Scouts and the PTA when she was a young mother. She spoke of her young girls, Cathy and Wendy, as her inspiration. She served in Girl Scouts for many years in several capacities, including the Board of Directors.

Mrs. Cohen became the first paid Executive Director for Meals on Wheels in 1960. From then to 1964, she managed a volunteer staff of 75-90. With creative fundraising, she led the agency to build the first kitchen within a housing development.

Mrs. Cohen brought expertise in finance wherever she served. Though she would say that she enjoyed all of her roles, perhaps one that was the most personally satisfying was her involvement with Syracuse Community Nursery Center, Inc., which later became the model for the federal Head Start program. As a Board Member, she helped secure federal funding to ensure nearly 200 children could attend. She continued on as its President in 1965-1967, knowing how early childhood care gave an essential foundation to young lives. She stayed with the agency when it became Child and Family Services under the United Way in 1968 and continued to serve on that Board of Directors through its merger with ARISE and until 2005.

Mrs. Cohen also served her religious community. A lifelong member of the Temple Society of Concord, she was its first female Board Member, serving as a Trustee. As a Board Member of the Temple Sisterhood, she filled multiple roles, including President in 1958-1960. She also became Secretary of the NYS Council Union of American Hebrew Congregation and chaired its State convention during her tenure.

In 1973, Mrs. Cohen was honored by receiving the Post-Standard Women of Achievement Award in Community Service. Winners of this award, locally bestowed and internationally renowned, are selected by secret and dedicated jury of peers. Mrs. Cohen received hearty congratulations from local government and agencies — evidence of her growing recognition as a community leader.

Other agencies that benefitted from her dedicated service included the Syracuse Chapter of the National Council on Jewish Women, Community-General Hospital Auxiliary 1973-1986, Onondaga County Influenza Task Force, the Onondaga Citizens Committee of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the Red Cross, the Jewish Community Center, the Wagon Wheel Senior Center (finance chairman) of the Corinthian Foundation, Cultural Resource Council Board, and Consortium Children's Services. She served in multiple roles with the United Way as a member of Allocation Panels, both as agency liaison and member-at-large. She also took pleasure in participating in the Thursday Morning Roundtable, where membership is through invitation only.

Mrs. Cohen's multitude of passions led her to contribute to the well-being of many people within her community. She contributed wherever she felt she could make a difference. Florence W. Cohen: a life well-lived.

Mrs. Cohen is predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Lester L. Cohen, her parents, Benjamin and Anna Wilkins, and her brother, Seymour Wilkins. She is survived by her daughters, Cathy W. Cohen of Denver, Colorado and Wendy S. Cohen of Fairport, New York, and her nephews, Peter Wilkins and Michael Wilkins.

Calling hours will be held on June 4th from 4-7 at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1040 East Ave., Rochester, NY. Graveside services will be held on June 7 at 11:30 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Syracuse. Donations in her memory may be made to Asbury First UMC Storehouse, 1050 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.