Elaine Cohen

Born in Boston and raised in Mattapan, she spent her early years immersed in the study of ballet. A formidable scholar, she graduated Girl’s Latin School and attended Barnard and Simmons College, where she earned her MA and Ph.d. in Social Work. She went on to practice private family therapy and to hold esteemed positions in her field at prestigious institutions in Boston including Judge Baker Guidance Center and The League School for autistic children, where she served as a Clinical Director.

As a playwright, she received National Endowment for the Arts grants for her works performed in Boston theaters during the 1970s and ‘80s. In later years she studied filmmaking and tried her hand at stand-up comedy.

Married to the late Joseph M. Cohen in 1956 till his death in 2016, she was a resident of Brookline from 1962 onward and a member of the Sisterhood of Temple Ohabei Shalom. In her retirement she enjoyed seeing her grandchildren, taking college courses and traveling with her sons.

She leaves her sons Larry, Bruce and Steve; her grandchildren Adam, Amanda, April, Austin, David, Julia and Kennedy; her beloved great-grandchildren Poppy and Sabine; Larry and Bruce’s spouses Suzanne and Tova; and Steve’s partner and Elaine’s dear friend Kristina Greco.

A graveside service for Elaine will be held Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Quincy Hebrew Cemetery, 776 Baker St, Boston, MA 02132.

We will sit Shiva after the service at Elaine’s final Brookline “bachelorette pad”. Please contact her son for directions @ (323) 637-8687.