Myra Cohen, 90, of Newington, died Feb. 3. She served on the Newington Town Council for 23 years and was serving at the time of her death. Born in New York City, she was the daughter of Hannah and Morris Smerkins. She graduated at age 16 from James Monroe High School, Bronx N.Y., immediately going into secretarial work to help support the family.

On January 13, she was honored for her countless contributions to the town of Newington with a Proclamation and street naming – Myra Cohen Way. 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 in Bloomfield and its Sisterhood and the Newington Kiwanis Club.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Al Cohen; her daughters, Marlene Cohen of Connecticut and Francine Cohen of Massachusetts; a son, Steven and his wife, Ann, of New Jersey; three grandsons, Noah, Adam and Natan; a sister-in-law, Sonia Cohen of Connecticut; brother-in-law Edward Cohen and wife of Florida; two nieces, Debra Cohen of Illinois and Libby
Wallace and her husband, Ben, of Connecticut; and a nephew, James of Pennsylvania, and his children. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society; B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom Synagogue, 180 Still Rd., Bloomfield CT 06002; or the Newington Kiwanis Club, PO Box 310-577, Newington CT 06111.

HEBREW FUNERAL ASSOCIATION

PIC:

COHEN