Barbara Cohen, mother of Comcast executive
Barbara Cohen, 85, the mother of Comcast Corp. executive David L. Cohen, died late Thursday afternoon, June 23, at her home in Highland Park, N.J.
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Barbara Cohen, 85, the mother of Comcast Corp. executive David L. Cohen, died late Thursday afternoon, June 23, at her home in Highland Park, N.J.
Mrs. Cohen was diagnosed in March with brain cancer, her son said Thursday night from his childhood home.
"She was outspoken. I came by my bluntness and candor genetically," said Cohen, who served as chief of staff for former Mayor Ed Rendell.
"She was very direct and straightforward," said daughter Nancy, also describing her as principled and resilient.
Mrs. Cohen was born in New York City. She met her future husband, Arthur, on a blind date. They married in 1950 while she was attending Hunter College. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology.
She raised three children, including her younger son, Sandy, and was active as a volunteer for the Jewish Federation and her synagogue, Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth.
She loved reading, cooking, and politics, and was fascinated by this year's presidential race.
Though she became very ill recently, she was able to cast an absentee ballot in the New Jersey primary for Hillary Clinton.
"One of her regrets was she was not able to see the first woman president of the United States," David Cohen said.
In addition to her husband and children, Mrs. Cohen is survived by four grandchildren.
A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 26, at Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth, 201 S. Third Ave., Highland Park, N.J. 08904. Burial will be at Beth Israel Cemetery, Woodbridge, N.J.
Plans for shiva were not final, but David Cohen will sit with his father and siblings at his parents' house Sunday afternoon after the funeral, and on Monday and Tuesday. He also may sit shivah in Philadelphia on Wednesday and/or Thursday.
Contributions may be made to the synagogue at the address above; Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, 230 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River, N.J. 08882; or Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island, 2411 Long Beach Blvd., Spray Beach, N.J. 08008.
215-854-5983@RobertMoran215