Rhea Cohen

COHEN, Rhea, a beloved matriarch and extraordinarywoman, died peacefully in her home Friday, August 11, 2006, surrounded by family. After emigrating from Europe as a young girl and overcoming many obstacles, Rhea used her astute mind and people savvy to become a successful, independent woman. It was in New York that Rhea met and married her beloved husband of 40 years, Irving P. Cohen. They eventually moved to Florida to build their life together, working side-by-side in all their endeavors, including raising their three children, Barry, Cynthia (Wright) and Hope (Barnett). She loved people, life and mostly she loved her family. She was very proud of all their accomplishments. Her uncanny ability to appreciate the uniqueness in people extended to everyone she knew. She treated everyone with dignity and respect. She was extremely intuitive and wise: people of all ages and walks of life regularly sought her advice. She was known for her candor and her honesty, always delivered with a great deal of love and a healthy dose of humor. She loved current events, politics, Larry King Live, and court TV. She could, and often would, engage in intelligent conversations on most any topic. Though never short on opinions, she was always ready and willing to listen to others. Rhea's life was dedicated to giving to others, both of herself and through charity. She was a founding member of the Rodeph Sholom Synagogue, a lifetime member of Hadassah, a Lion of Judah member of the Tampa Jewish Federation, and a supporter of countless other charities and causes. In addition to her three children, many others whose lives she touched and who loved her dearly survive her, including her sister, Gayle Wolfe, her children-in-law, Les Barnett, Stanley Wright, Marcia Cohen, Barbara Casasa Cohen, Dennis Zaslavsky and Jim Halbert; her nine grandchildren, Geena Cohen Zaslavsky, Kevin Cohen, Steven Cohen, Barry Alexander Cohen, Mark Wright, Julie (Wright) Halbert, Devra Wright, Irving Barnett and Ben Barnett; and six great-grandchildren, Justin, Brett and Ava Zaslavsky, Jacob and William Halbert, and Dylan Barnett. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and close friends. Though carrying on her legacy will be a daunting task, we were blessed with her example- her neshama will live on through all of us. Shalom Rhea, Shalom. Funeral services will be conducted3 p.m. today (Sunday) at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 2713 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. Rabbi Marc Sack and Cantor Moshe Friedler will officiate. Interment will follow at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Project Yeladim, Torah Endowment Fund at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, 2713 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, FL 33629. Online guestbook at www.segalfuneralhome.com