Janet Cohen

Janet was born in Kansas City, MO on October 15, 1932 to Sarah and Ruben (Izzy) Yodler. Beloved wife of the late Allen Cohen for 52 years. Devoted mother of Jennifer, Joel and his wife Karen, grandmother of Joshua and husband Jim, Margot, Briana and Drew, and great grandmother of Amber. Sister to Gertie and the late Abe and Helen.

After growing up in Kansas City, Janet graduated from the University of Missouri with a teaching degree. She taught in Kansas City for a few years before marrying Allen in 1955 after a brief engagement. They moved to Peabody in 1958, a year after Jennifer was born, and lived in the same house on Goodale Street for 50 years. She was an avid gardener, baker and painter, with several watercolors winning first prize at the Topsfield Fair. Janet and Al were founding members of Temple Ner Tamid in Peabody, where they met many of their friends.

Janet deeply loved her family and friends, and expressed her love each and every day. Janet found ways to bring joy to the simplest of activities. She used food coloring to turn scrambled eggs green, serving her children and grandchildren breakfast with a side of laughter and smiles. She learned everyone’s favorite treats, and baked into the night so that pies, cookies, breads and more could be shared by all. Janet never expected anything in return, she simply found joy in bringing joy to others.

Many will remember Janet as an innovative elementary school teacher at Kiley School in Peabody, where she taught for 25 years, stayed in touch with many of her students and even taught some of their children. She was a wonderful teacher both in and out of the classroom. Her creativity was ahead of her time, finding ways to engage students and connect topics in an interdisciplinary way. She was very fond of poetry, and used poetry and literature to share life lessons about patience and compassion.

Patience and compassion were the true pillars of Janet’s being. She wanted to understand the perspective of everyone, so she could better understand them. Janet wanted to help people. All she needed was to learn how, and she would do whatever she could to put a smile on your face. She, herself, was constantly smiling, expressing her deep gratitude for life. Janet took nothing for granted.

Janet was in active communication with the earth, tending to the many plants in her garden and exploring nature through her art. She spent afternoons by Crystal Lake painting swans, or painting trees in the forest, flowers in the yard, rocks along the ocean. She not only depicted the earth’s beauty in her art, but it's wondrous qualities as well.

Janet rarely slept, too busy experiencing all that life had to offer. Too busy finding ways to give and help and spread her love. Janet had endless energy. Her spirit was colorful as the clothes she wore, energized by the powers of love and altruism. Janet was and always will be a light, the embodiment of a smile.

A funeral service for Janet will be held on Wednesday April 27, 2022 at 11:00AM at the Brooksby Village Chapel, 100 Brooksby Village Drive in Peabody, followed by interment at Maple Hill Cemetery, 98 Canterbury Drive, Peabody. The funeral service will be live streamed for those who cannot attend. No Shiva will be held at this time due to Covid. However, a celebration of life event will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell Street, Peabody, MA 01960 or the Progeria Foundation via www.progeriaresearch.org.

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