Fanny Cohen
Born In: Glace Bay
Born: July 16th, 1908
Passed in: Glace Bay
Passed on: November 14th, 2015
Fanny Cohen of Glace Bay died peacefully at home on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at the age of 107.
Likely the oldest person in Glace Bay, she was widely known, respected, admired and loved by the many she touched in her lifetime.
Known as Fanny or Miss Cohen, she was born in Glace Bay on July 16, 1908 and raised in Glace Bay, the last survivor of six siblings. She was the daughter of Esther and Harry Cohen who migrated to Canada in 1901. She graduated from Glace Bay High School in 1926 and from Normal College in Truro in 1928.
The great story of her life was her 46 year teaching career. Her first teaching job was in New Aberdeen in a “remote area” as she later described it. After a year in Homeville, the remainder of her teaching career in primary was in Glace Bay where she eventually became principal of South Street School. Generations of her students still remember “Miss Cohen;” flowers and cards would arrive from all over Canada on her birthday.
After she retired, she fulfilled her lifelong dream travelling through Europe and Asia.
With an amazing memory, she was a masterful storyteller. She lived through turbulent times, some long forgotten. Her memories of the Miners’ Strike of 1925 were vivid.
Always active in the Jewish community, at 90 as president of the Glace Bay Chapter of Canadian Hadassah, she was the oldest president of a chapter. A former secretary of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ Union, she was a past president of the Retired Teachers’ Union Association. An avid reader, she was very instrumental in bringing the public library to Glace Bay 57 years ago.
During the last year of her life, she was blessed with loving support and friendship from a cadre of cousins and friends who visited regularly. A team of eight wonderful caregivers was at her side always.
She is survived by her niece, Leone Bushkin (Merle) and nephew, Arthur Blond (Anne) as well as great-nieces Elizabeth Schnitzer and Nancy Bushkin, and great-nephews Peter and Jason Bond as well as several great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Patten Funeral Home, Union Street, Glace Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m.
