Edna C. (Cohen) Landesman

Edna (Cohen) Landesman, age 93 years, formerly of Natick, on January 12, 2024.

Beloved wife of Norman H. Landesman z’l who preceded her in death on Aug. 21, 2017. Cherished mother of Sheryl Brooks (Richard), Paul Landesman, Amy L. Goodman, Emily Harvey (James), William Landesman (John), and Daniel Landesman (Julie). Adoring Grammy of Emily, Sam, Annie, Kendall, Michael, Taylor, Rachael, Corey, Sadie and Isabel and dear Great Grammy to Brooks and Ozzie.

Edna was a one-of-a-kind person, full of positive energy and optimism. Despite being orphaned in her early teens while growing up in Worcester, she and her sister Ina developed such a strong will to not only live but to love and find the positive, no matter the situation. She and Norman always wanted to have a large family since they first met as students in 1948 at UMASS Amherst. After marrying Norman in 1950 and upon his graduation and their move to Boston then Brookline, she transferred to Simmons College to complete her undergraduate studies and forge a lifelong connection with Simmons for which she also volunteered her time to help organize annual alumnae meetings. Volunteering was a very important aspect of Edna (and Norman’s) life and, even with various kids in tow, off she would go to help others and use the opportunity to instill in her family the value of giving of yourself and sowing the seeds of empathy in each of her children, and later grandchildren and, yes, her great-grandchildren.

Edna was always ready with her ever-present optimism, love and disarming smile wherever you met her – on the other side of the counter at Donut Time, at Temple Israel of Natick religious services or Sisterhood events, at Joann Fabric, at the MetroWest Y, at the annual MA Special Olympics or anywhere in MetroWest and later in the Franklin, MA and Mint Hill, NC areas.

She will be so greatly missed by all whoever crossed her path, especially her family whom she always reminded she adored and were her heaven on earth.

Services will be held at Temple Israel of Natick, 145 Hartford St., Natick on Thursday, January 18 at 11:00am with livestream viewing available using the following link: https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=4a712748

Burial will follow in Framingham-Natick Jewish Cemetery.

Memorial observances will be held immediately following the burial at the home of Emily and Jim Harvey.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the MA Special Olympics (www.specialolympicsma.org) or to the Rav Hazzan Richmond Discretionary Fund at Temple Israel Natick (www.tiofnatick.org).