Gertrude P. Kohen

Daughter of the late Ida (Drell) and Harry Pshoter. Loving wife of the late Mordechai Kohen. Beloved mother of Ariela Marshall and her husband David; Shira Fishbon and her husband Mark; and Joseph Kohen and his late wife Gay and partner Jami. Cherished grandmother of Talia and Anna Fishbon; Dani and Harrison Kohen. Beloved great aunt of Chaya and Rabbi Simha Feuerman and their family. Sister of Rabbi Bernard Shoter and the late Judith Miller.

Gertrude was born in Dorchester on April 14, 1924. She attended Dorchester High School. She was one of the first women to attend Bentley University and graduated in 1948 with a degree in accounting. She went on to work for the US Government in accounting until she met and married Mordechai Kohen in 1950. Gertrude then supported M&G Appliance, the business they established. Later Gertrude spent time raising her family, and she was always motivated to perform acts of kindness to anyone regardless of nationality, race, religion, or gender identity. Her positivity, openness, and contributions made her a person ahead of her times. She volunteered at Norwood Hospital, FISH of Dedham, was one of the founding members of Temple Beth David in Westwood, and was one of the original members of the Brigham and Women’s Health Initiative Study. She and her husband Mordechai were two of the first Americans to serve as support volunteers in the Israeli Defense Force, volunteering three separate times. In her later years, she was known as the “Mitzvah Lady” during her residency at the Golda Meir House, and she then continued to support other residents at NewBridge on the Charles in any way possible up until her passing. Family, Judaism, and volunteerism were at the center of Gert’s life.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Chapel Service on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 12pm at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 475 Washington Street, Canton. Burial will follow at Independent Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury. Following internment, Shiva/mourning period will be held at the Kohen family home until 8:30pm, continuing on Thursday from 1-4pm and 7-9pm, and on Friday from 1-4pm.

Chapel Service will be livestreamed at https://tinyurl.com/Gertrude-Kohen or click on the link below.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Gertrude P. Kohen may be made to the Jewish National Fund at www.jnf.org or the Brigham and Women’s Health Initiative at www.brighamandwomens.org.