Reesa Joy Cohen

Reesa Joy Cohen, age 75, formerly of West Hartford, Framingham, Mashpee, and Boynton Beach, passed away on March 20th after fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Edward Cohen, their two children, Jodi Bring and Seth Cohen, her son in-law, Ken Bring, her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Cohen, along with Reesa’s two grandchildren, Nicole and Matthew Bring, and her mother-in-law, Shirley Cohen. She is the daughter of the late Leon and Dorothy Goldstein, and the dear sister of Jerry Goldstein and the late Sandy Goldstein. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Barbara Blaustein, Dara Goldstein, Roz Cohen, her brother-in-law, Mark Cohen, and all her beloved nieces, Ami, Jessica, Samantha, Alissa, Amanda, and Lia.

Reesa attended Long Island University, where she met and then married the love of her life. Together they founded a school for special needs children where she spent nearly five decades supporting the program, and was still an active board member up until a few short weeks ago. Reesa adored her husband and together they raised a family, traveled to 51 countries, burned up many a dance floor and were inseparable. They had a beautiful partnership filled with a deep love and respect. Ed and Reesa were role models for the perfect marriage -- complete with a hearty dose of romance, laughter, and supportive phrases that usually began with “I’m gonna kill him.”

Reesa loved to have a good time and truly lived life. Whether it was hosting book club or parties, dining out with friends, tap dancing, playing golf, conquering canasta, enjoying sunset cocktails on the beach, or even trying indoor skydiving, you could always count on Reesa to be on board. No activity would be complete without her doling out a helpful tip on how to decorate your house or where to get the best sale on designer shoes.

While she leaves behind a vast number of beloved friends, her greatest joy was spending time with her family. “Your mom is so cool” is a phrase her children frequently heard… and it was true. Reesa was fashionable, trendy, fun, warm, affectionate, silly, and when it came to dinner, her favorite meal to prepare was an old family recipe known as “reservations.”

She welcomed every adventure with open arms and always said she wanted her memorial to be similar to how she lived her life: a celebration. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 22 at 12pm at Levine Chapels, 470 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. Interment will take place at Sharon Memorial Park. Immediately following the interment, memorial observance will be held at Jodi and Ken Brings’ house through 5pm and continuing Saturday 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm, and Sunday 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Reesa Cohen to support Dr. Wolpin’s Research Fund at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via dana-farber.org/gift