Anne Marie Cohen

Anne Marie E. Zoshak Cohen passed peacefully at home on the evening of August 16, 2025, surrounded all day by the deep love of her family and the enduring care of friends who supported her throughout her illness. For more than 15 years, Anne Marie faced her cancers with remarkable strength and tenacity. Though her body grew weary, her will and spirit never faltered. She pushed herself to stay active and was a vibrant member of many communities in the area. Born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, Anne Marie was the daughter of John Joseph Zoshak, Jr. and Anna Rosalie (Contini), both children of Slovak and Southern Italian immigrants the children of coal miners. From an early age, she embraced the values of education, faith, and resilience. She filled her youth with music-singing in choirs, talent shows, and variety performances, earning many awards along the way. She loved to sing. In 1952, Anne Marie relocated to Emmaus for better opportunities than the coal region could offer. She graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1963 and continued her studies at Bloomsburg State and later Muhlenberg College, where she graduated in 1967. Her years at Muhlenberg were among her happiest, and she treasured the lifelong friendships formed with her "Lady Mules." Anne Marie later earned a master's degree in counseling from Lehigh University, along with additional graduate credits. Anne Marie dedicated 37 years to teaching in the East Penn School District, shaping the lives of countless children. She taught every grade from kindergarten through fifth, though the youngest students always held a special place in her heart. Later in her career, she found great joy as an ESL teacher, welcoming students from around the world and forming lasting friendships with many of them. She was known to generations as Mrs. Zoshak, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Cohen, and wherever she went, she was bound to run into a former student or family she had helped. Her kindness was instinctive-whether for a person or an animal, she never judged or turned away but offered dignity, compassion, and care. Faith was central to Anne Marie's life at St. Ann's, she served as a teacher, lector, cantor, eucharistic minister, and member of the ecumenical council. She also visited the homebound and hospitalized, bringing both communion and comfort. Her voice, her presence, and her generosity made her a constant light in her community. Anne Marie inherited her love of travel from her parents, who took her across the country during summer vacations. She carried that tradition on with her children, adventuring in an RV out west, visiting the Grand Canyon, exploring Maine and Nova Scotia, and more. With her late husband, Donald Cohen, she was able to see the world on cruises that took them across oceans and continents. Wherever she went, she delighted in the animals she encountered-especially llamas and alpacas. At home, she always had a beloved dog and cats, many adopted from her daughter. Though she sometimes took them in "begrudgingly" from her daughter, no pets ever lived a better life. Anne Marie was also deeply devoted to charitable causes, especially those supporting the marginalized, the abused, and those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges. She saw the people others often overlooked and met them with compassion and help. Her legacy is vast and enduring-a teacher, traveler, singer, animal lover, faithful servant, and friend to all. She leaves behind a lifetime of love and generosity that cannot be measured but will be felt for generations to come. Anne Marie is survived by her beloved children and grandchildren, who she took great pride and joy in: her son Steven, his wife Cindy and, her daughter Suzanne. The joys of her life were her grandchildren Hunter and Carter. She is also survived by her brother John Zoshak, his wife Kathy, and nieces and nephews. Services: Memorial Mass 11 AM Saturday, August 23, 2025 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 415 S. 6th Street, Emmaus. Arrangements by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, Emmaus, www.BKRFH.com In lieu of flowers, Anne Marie would have loved a donation to a favorite charity in her name.