Myra Cohen

Myra Cohen, 90, of Newington, died peacefully, Tuesday February 3, 2015 with her beloved husband, of 60 years, Al Cohen, by her side. Born in New York City on June 6, 1924, she was the daughter of Hannah and Morris Smerkins. Myra and her late sister Estelle Subgrunski of Illinois were raised by their widowed working mother. She graduated at age 16 from James Monroe High School, Bronx N.Y., immediately going into secretarial work to help support the family, and later pursuing interests in oil painting, modern dance. and horseback riding. In 1954 she married Connecticut native Al Cohen and came to Newington in 1956. She will be dearly missed by her loving husband Al and loving daughters Marlene Cohen of CT and Francine Cohen of MA, loving son Steven and his wife Ann of NJ and their sons Noah, Adam and Natan.. She also leaves her sister-in-law Sonia Cohen of CT, brother-in-law Edward Cohen and wife of FL, niece Debra Cohen of IL, niece Libby and husband Ben Wallace of CT and nephew James of PA and his children. Myra's contributions to Newington began as an involved and vocal private citizen in 1976. After her children were grown she dedicated her life to her beloved Town of Newington, and was-reelected consecutively for 23 years to the Newington Town Council on which she was currently serving. Throughout her service, Myra was respected, praised and admired for her expansive knowledge of Newington, her tireless work, fair and balanced approach, independent spirit, and strong influence. On January 13, 2015 she was most recently honored for her countless contributions to Newington with a Proclamation and street naming - Myra Cohen Way, which is the access road from Fenn Road to the new CT Fastrak Busway opening in March 2015. She won numerous awards, among them the Chamber of Commerce Award 2004 for her selfless devotion and work for the Town. She was a member of, attended, served on or was liaison to numerous committees and boards among them the Affordable Age-Restricted Housing Study Committee, Board of Education's Roof Replacement Project Building Committee, Downtown Revitalization Committee, School Code Compliance Committee and others. She also served on the Town Hall Renovations Project Building Committee, the Senior Center's Roof Replacement Project Building Committee, School Improvements Project Building Committee, West Meadow Cemetery Expansion Project Building Committee, Committee on Aging, also the former Town Charter Revision Committee, Conservation Committee meetings, the Youth-Adult advisory board and meetings which she regularly attended as a "member of the public" She was a member of Congregation B'nai-Tikvoh Sholom Synagogue and its Sisterhood in Bloomfield, and the Newington Kiwanis Club.. Myra could be seen almost every Sunday morning at the south gate of its Sunday Morning Big K Flea Market whenever it was in session. The family would like to express gratitude to their friends for their compassion, kindness and support to Myra and Al throughout her illness ad especially to Clarke Castelle, Luke Lauretano, Barbara Katzman, Rabbi Debra Cantor and to the staff at Bel Air Manor. A funeral will be held on Friday February 6, 2015 at the Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. The family will first receive friends starting at 10:30AM continuing till Noon. The funeral service will begin at Noon with Rabbi Debra Cantor officiating. Interment will follow at Congregation B'nai Sholom Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Turnpike, top of the Jordan Lane Extension, Wethersfield. In recognition of Myra's service and devotion to the Town of Newington, the Newington Fire Department will provide honors during the funeral and procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her memory may be directed to the American Cancer Society or B'Nai Tikvoh-Sholom Synagogue, 180 Still Rd., Bloomfield CT 06002 or the Newington Kiwanis Club, PO Box 310-577, Newington CT 06111 or a charity of donor's choice. Funeral arrangements provided in cooperation with Newington Memorial Funeral Home and Hebrew Funeral Association, West Hartford. To share a condolence through Newington Memorial please visit www.NewingtonMemorial.Com.