Lydia Cochrane Obituary

Lydia Goodwin (Steinway) Cochrane, 87, died in Chicago on January 5 of cardiac arrest, surrounded by family. Lydia was born in New York to Theodore and Ruth Steinway (Davis), the youngest of six children. After attending Dalton, Putney, Smith, and the University of Chicago, she taught French for many years at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, introducing Montessori-style methods into the curriculum. Later, she translated scholarly books and articles from French and Italian with the remarkable precision and passion that she brought to every endeavor. She was married to Eric W. Cochrane, noted professor of Italian history at the University of Chicago (died 1985). They lived in Chicago and Florence, Italy. An active member of the Fortnightly of Chicago, Tuesday Ladies, and two book groups, she swam in the early morning with friends and attended season subscriptions to almost everything Chicago has to offer. She is survived by her sons John and Nicholas, their wives Elizabeth Fama and Ginger Gregory, grandchildren Sally, Eric, Caleb, Jean, Lydia, and Sam, all of whom knew her as a deep friend, and a large Steinway/Davis/Cochrane clan. She was intelligent, inquisitive, open-minded, decisive, self-reliant, elegant, and infinitely complex. A memorial service will take place in Chicago in the early spring.

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Published by Chicago Tribune from Jan. 15 to Jan. 17, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Lydia Cochrane

11 Entries

Dale Walker

January 20, 2016

Lydia's intelligence, curiosity, warmth, and laugh come leaping to mind. We collaborated often on projects for the University of Chicago Library. She helped make campus a special place. Knowing Lydia was a blessing. My condolences to her family.

Janet Cowel

January 17, 2016

I did not have the privilege of knowing Lydia Cochrane but I want to tell how moving I found her photograph and her obituary. Her photo drew me in as it seems to reflect her love of life and those dear to her. From what I read she lived a full and meaningful life on her own terms and surely enriched the lives of many others. Thank you for sharing her blessed life.

Judy Yacker

January 17, 2016

I was so sorry to hear of Lydia's death. My condolences to Nick and John and the rest of the family. She was one of the South Side's finest.

January 17, 2016

We are greatly saddened to learn of Lydia's death. She was our downstairs neighbor at the Cloisters for many years. She was a truly lovely person and we were very fond of her. We shall miss her very much. She often spoke of her family, so we know how important they were to her. Our condolences to all the family.

Robert Biggs
Clay Anderson
Cloisters 7A

Ann Grodzins Gold

January 16, 2016

My mother, Ruth Grodzins, was Lydia's neighbor in the Cloisters for many years. Ruth was also a "Tuesday Lady." Lydia was extraordinarily kind to our whole family and I cherish her memory.

January 15, 2016

To have known Lydia and Eric Cochrane was one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Etiennette Pillet

January 15, 2016

For many years Lydia was a colleague of mine and I often admired her gift as a teacher and valued her friendship immensely. She was a great person and will be deeply missed.

January 15, 2016

We are all so sad to learn of Lydia's death. She was special to all of us and we will miss her grace, intelligence and warm sense of humor. Please let us know when the memorial service is scheduled. Our condolences go out to the entire family.
From the office of Dr. Donald L Hohman, DDS

Michel Lacocque

January 15, 2016

I have many fond memories of Lydia since her years teaching at Lab in the late 60's with my mother. I also had the privilege of studying with Eric, her husband. It is a great loss; she was a great lady. I am sad for he children and for her grand children. I think in particular of her namesake, Lydia. My condolences to all of you

Judy Korshak-Samuels

January 15, 2016

Rich and I were very sad to hear of the recent passing of Lydia! We recently received a lovely note from her detailing her "ugly fall" and that she was moving from rehab to a local retirement home. Eric and Lydia were very special people to my husband Rich Samuels!
May her family find comfort with memories of their lives and how they touched so many with their incredible intelligence , hospitality, and warmth.

Maria Gebhard

January 15, 2016

For overt thirty years, Lydia has been abiding in my mind and heart as "my fairy godmother"...juxtaposed - for an even longer period - as the most venerable role model in my life. Nick and John and family, there she will remain forever. My deepest condolences.

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