Obituary: Evelyn Ruth Cohen, Longtime North Shore Resident

Evelyn Ruth (nee Cohen) Cohen, just 29 days shy of her 96th birthday was born on April 21, 1918 in Chicago. Cohen was a 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. Cohen died on March 23, 2014. 

She was the beloved wife from December 12, 1943 until his death, of the late Arnold Aaron "Babe" Cohen (May 19, 1919 to May 11, 2005), 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. She was a 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. 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 will be held on 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. For info: Chicago Jewish Funerals, Skokie Chapel at 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.

This obituary was revised to reflect Mrs. Cohen's birth year as 1918, not 1943 as previously published. Patch regrets the error.