Sarah Cohen Obituary

Cohen, Sarah (Blacher) ALBANY, N.Y. Sarah Blacher Cohen, 72, died peacefully at home on Monday, November 10, 2008. Sarah was fortunate to spend her last years with her beloved husband of 42 years, Gary (Gordon) Cohen at her side. Dr. Cohen was a Professor Emerita at University at Albany, State University of New York, having recently retired after 33 years of teaching. She was an amazing person who forged a remarkable life, bringing scholarship, laughter, and inspiration to students, friends, colleagues, and audience members who are even, at this very moment laughing, cheering and crying over characters, jokes and poignant revelations of truth she helped to create. She overcame physical disability to become a renowned authority on Jewish humor and culture, was the general editor of the SUNY Press Series on Modern Jewish Literature and Culture, was awarded a Distinguished Fulbright Professorship to Yugoslavia, was a media consultant to the National Endowment for Humanities, a humor consultant for the Library of Congress and winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Muscular Dystrophy Society. Sarah wrote and edited seven books, numerous scholarly articles, and 11 plays and musicals, many in cooperation with her longtime partner, Joanne Koch of Chicago, Ill. Her plays continue to be performed around the world and in Off-Broadway venues. Born in Appleton, Wis., she was the daughter of the late Louis Blacher and Mary Kaminsky Blacher. In addition to her husband, Sarah is survived one sister, Bess Rosen Lichterman of Milwaukee; and nine nieces and nephews, Steve (Monique) Blacher of Boston, Lisa Blacher of Minneapolis, Bruce Blacher of Minneapolis, Dr. Stuart (Diane) Blacher of Milwaukee, Sheryl (Claudio) Pelc of Milwaukee, Lynn (William) Hurwitz of Milwaukee, Perry (Roberta) Rosen of San Diego, Nancy (Howard) Shimon of Milwaukee, Sandy (Steve) Borenstein of Milwaukee. Additionally, her large family included her sister-in-law, Loretta Uretz; nieces and nephews, Joseph (Dana) Zuckerman of Las Vegas, Howard (Mary) Zucker-man of Livonia, Mich.; and Sheila (Hobreigh) Fischer of Las Vegas, Nev. She is further survived, remembered and loved by numerous great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; two brothers, Ben and David Blacher; her dear sister, Dorothy Seidelman; and nephew Brian Blacher. The Blacher Cohen family wishes to thank Marla Frazer, her longtime assistant, and the many caregivers, including Aesook, Cathleen, Dawn, Dominique, Jesse, Kimbria, Laura, Laurie, MaryJane, and Miriam for the comfort, dedication, and love they have shown to Sarah and Gary. Services will be held at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue, Albany on Friday, November 14, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Independent Benevolent Cemetery in Guilderland, N.Y. The family invites friends to join in sitting shiva (mourning for the family members) on Friday following the service of interment at the Cohen residence, 60 Buckingham Dr., Albany, N.Y. Those wishing to remember Sarah in a special way may make a contribution to the Disabled Student Services at the University at Albany, or a charity of your choice. For directions and to sign the online family guest book please visit, levinememorialchapel.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Albany Times Union on Nov. 14, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Sarah Cohen

Sponsored by Linda G Nelson Maddox, one of Prof. Cohen's Graduate Assistants. Enjoyed her immensely..

13 Entries

Joe Gioco

January 16, 2025

I was looking someone up wit h a similar name and came across this sad news. I met Sarah in the fall of 1987. She hired me to paint a few rooms in her house. Shortly after starting the job a freakish October blizzard happened in Albany. Many homes lost power for days including her´s. I somehow was able to finish the job in a home without lights or heat. Sarah had a beautiful vintage turquoise wall phone in her kitchen that she was throwing away because it rang too loud for her when she was trying to sleep. I asked her if I could have it and she graciously gave it to me. I am looking at it on the wall of my kitchen as I write this. I was a local actor in Albany at the time and I really enjoyed spending time with Sarah, talking shop as it were. My timing is not great but my deepest condolences go out to her family, friend, colleagues and former students. She was one heck of a lady.

Linda G Nelson Maddox

March 3, 2019

Lasting condolences to Sarah's family, Joanne Koch and all who knew her -- we miss her so much. She provided many opportunities to her assistants for communication, experience and learning in the field of English and Jewish-American literature. Further, she was unhesitatingly direct and open with her opinions about controversial subjects which inevitably present issues allowing mutual respect, and yes humor, regardless of agreement or disagreement -- from which we all grew in understanding if not resolution. Although often preoccupied with obligations to coursework while I also assisted Sarah, I admired her style and scholarship and appreciated the many opportunities she gave me for furthering my own experience in the profession of English literature, whether in editing, research and classroom management or simply sharing our love of same with others. We shared a multitude of interests, and she is greatly missed.

Libby Jochnowitz

November 9, 2009

Thank you Sarah and family for your donation of beautiful cutout Judaic artwork which enhance the corridors of Temple Israel. I remember admiring them in your house, and they will always remind me of your commitment to art and Judaism when I see them. Best Libby Jochnowitz

James Dutcher

July 6, 2009

Nearly 30 years after the final, I still have the books professor Cohen assigned for her American Humor class. A truly great teacher. I'm very sorry to hear of her passing.

Seth Rogin

March 3, 2009

I am sad to hear of the loss of Dr. Sarah Blacher Cohen. She served as my mentor, my friend, my boss and my teacher. She taught me to find humor in the most unlikely of situations. She taught me structure, both as it applies to drama and to life.

I often remember our days on the road producing her plays in the Catskills and beyond. Together, we worked with the legends of another time, while I absorbed as much of her wisdom as I could.

I would not have the life I lead today were it not for her kindness, support, and laughter. Sarah Blacher Cohen made my life better.

Lorraine Ferrara

December 5, 2008

To the Family of Professor Cohen:
I was one of the many University at Albany English majors inspired by Dr. Cohen. I graduated in 1974, have been teaching high school English for 33 years...and Sarah Cohen's ingenuous and witty demeanor served as a model upon which I based my "teacher persona."
She was certainly one of my most memorable instructors. I last saw her at the Writers' Institue Tribute to Bill Kennedy at the then Omni Hotel in the late nineties. She was as delightful as ever. She immediately remembered my name before I could introduce myself. I was there with my 12th grade Advanced Placement students...how impressed they were that one of my college professors had not forgotten me. I will never forget her! Her legacy is all of the hearts and minds that she has touched...as well as all the funny bones that she has tickled. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Libby Jochnowitz

November 21, 2008

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Sarah Blacher Cohen. I took her class in Holocaust literature at the University Albany in 1987 and enjoyed meeting and speaking to her in the community over several years. She was always thoughtful, inspiring and friendly. I also admired her advocacy for the rights of disabled persons and her active participation in so many areas.

Gary Book

November 14, 2008

I have never imagined a time when that the world would not have Sarah Cohen as part of it. She was a dear friend of mine. How many of us would receive a phone call from her to learn of her latest project or effort that made the world of literature, criticism, academics or charity enriched by her work or effort. A visit with her always promised a memorial adventure, especially when she came to New York City and took in the theater either as a patron or playwright. She treasured all her colleagues and fellow writers and academics and friends. Her enduring legacy, beyond her works, will be all the lives she touched through her teaching and for those of us fortunately enough to have known her, thru her friendship. She so deeply enriched my life and her loss has created a void that will never be filled. In speaking for all of us, we have lost a unique and special person; and until the end of our days, because of her lost, we will live diminished lives. For now, she will exist only in our memories and through our love for her, until our final days. Good bye my dear friend.

Esther Greenberg

November 14, 2008

Condolences to Gary, and to all the family. Sarah was a wonderful friend to me, and especially to my late husband Paul. She was generous and hospitable. There were many joyful celebrations in her home, and gatherings of friends at theaters, who were eager to join the audience at performances of her plays. She was determined to live to the fullest. She was an inspiration to her students, her friends, and to all who knew her. May her memory be for a blessing.

Carol Jewell

November 14, 2008

The UAlbany family has lost one of our own. May Sara rest in peace.

Laurie Bentley

November 14, 2008

To our dearest Gary, our deepest sympathy goes out to you. You are such a dedicated husband as well as a truly great man. Althought we will never be able to come close to the remarkable love and caring that Sarah showed to you daily, we will always strive to care for you in the best possible way. With heavy hearts..all our love

Sorrell Chesin

November 14, 2008

Gary, my deepest condolences on Sarah's passing. She left an indelible mark at UAlbany - one of creativity and academic integrity. The programs and activities which she developed and implemented often broke new ground and reflected her extraordinary humor and good common sense. She was certainly a woman of valor!

Helen Desfosses

November 14, 2008

My deepest sympathies to Gary and to Sarah's entire family. We who were privileged to work with her at
SUNY-Albany will deeply miss her inspiration and her excellence.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results