Obituary of Frances Cohen

FRANCES COHEN 1917-2011 Frances Cohen, 93, of Coburg Village, Rexford, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, March 2, in her home. Fran, or "Fradyl" as she was known lovingly by her family, was born in Harlem on September 1, 1917, the daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel Cohen. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Brooklyn in 1935, she worked as a bookkeeper in various New York City businesses. She was married to her beloved Bill on August 20, 1940, a love match that lasted over sixty-eight wonderful years. They spent their working life in retail, managing and running several Pearl's Department Stores, including one in Keeseville, NY, and beginning in 1966, the Village Bazaar in Keeseville, Rouses Point, and Port Henry. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Bill and Fran retired in 1983. Through 2006, they spent their time between their cottage in Willsboro, NY, and their home in Florida. In 2006, they moved to Coburg Village in Rexford to be close to their children and grandchildren. Always the family storyteller, Fran joined a Coburg Village writing group and spent many happy hours recording her memoirs. Over one hundred typed pages now capture the family history from the shtelts in Russia through her retirement.. Some of her stories were published in the Clifton Park Halfmoon Friends of the Library newsletter. Fran was an avid reader, often finishing two to three books a week. She also was an active and beloved member of Congregation Beth Shalom, Clifton Park. The family would like to thank Saratoga Community Hospice for their support and loving care during the last two months of our mother's life. A special thanks to Lori, Stacy, and Kathy, as well as her aide Carol . She was predeceased by her husband, Wilfred S. Cohen Frances is survived by her beloved children, Laura Appel, Surprise, AZ, Jay (Leslie) Cohen, York, PA, Marilyn (Larry) Shapiro, Clifton Park, and Roberta (Emil) Chiauzzi, Acton MA, eight grandchildren, David (Shannon) Appel, Jennifer Appel, Seth (Marcie) Cohen, Eric (Jennifer) Cohen, Adam Shapiro, Julie (Sam Massman) Shapiro), Michael Chiauzzi, Marissa Chiauzzi, and five great grandchildren, Morgan, Danielle, Jordan Cohen, Matthew Cohen, and William "Will" Appel, a sister-in -law, Pearl Eichler, and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her brother, Eli Cowan and her sister-in-law Nesbeth Hurwitch. . Services will be held at Congregation Beth Shalom, 688 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, on Friday, March 4, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be sent to Congregation Beth Shalom or Saratoga Community Hospice. The period of mourning will be observed at the residence of Marilyn and Larry Shapiro on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7 pm. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to call.