Sylvia C. Cohen

Sylvia Cohen, 88, died peacefully on Wednesday September 15, 2010 in Austin, Texas. Sylvia was born on August 16, 1922, the youngest child of Sam and Pauline Chait. Her parents, four brothers and two sisters preceded her in death.

Sylvia is survived by her son Harvey Cohen, his wife Liz and their daughter Emily of Austin; her son Bruce Cohen of Bedminster, NJ and her daughter Paulette Cohen of Pinellas Park, FL. She also is survived by her 14 nieces and nephews, their spouses, children and grandchildren, many of whom she saw at a family reunion this past summer.

Sylvia was born in Rochester, NY and lived, worked, married and raised her family there. In 1991 she moved to Austin to escape the ice and snow, and to be close to her wished-for granddaughter. In Austin, she continued her career as a bookkeeper and became an active volunteer at Congregation Beth Israel. In 1993, she became a bat mitzvah as part of the first adult class at Congregation Beth Israel, accomplishing a lifelong goal because when she was a child, women typically did not receive religious education and training.

Sylvia was a wonderful mother to Harvey and Liz, Bruce and Paulette, and was "Bubbe" to her beloved granddaughter Emily. The two of them shared many wonderful years together.

Special thanks to Drs. Ace Alsup and Scott Ream for their wonderful care and treatment of her throughout the years.

Graveside services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 at Beth Israel III, Capital Parks in Pflugerville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to the charity of your choice in her memory.