Marla S. Cohen

Aesop

Marla S. Cohen of Towaco, New Jersey, passed away on June 3, 2025. She had recently turned 58. To call Marla kind is an understatement. She was a truly gentle and caring soul.

Marla is survived by her father, Leonard; her partner, Jennifer Stephens; her brother, Richard; her sister-in-law, Stephanie; and her nephews, Nathan and Joshua. She was preceded in death by her mother, Myrna, in 2007. Cancer, unfortunately, took both of them from this world and their loved ones way too soon.

Marla grew up in West Orange, New Jersey, with her family and their pets: J.P., Pele and Lacey. Marla’s love of reading and animals of every sort was evident from an early age. She also enjoyed Classic Rock music. She attended her first concert (Asia) at age 16 with her brother, followed thousands of Deadheads over the wall at Giants Stadium to get onto the field at her only Grateful Dead concert in 1987, and saw her favorite band The Who four times over the years.

Marla graduated from C.W. Post College in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. While there, she met her life-long friends Kathy and Lori. She then spent several years teaching pre-kindergarten in South Orange and Verona, where she lived with her cat, Boo. Marla was a devoted teacher and considered the children in each of her classes as her own.

Subsequently, Marla returned to school and obtained her Masters of Social Work (MSW) from Rutgers University. Although she had previously worked with children, Marla decided to obtain her Masters to provide needed assistance to the elderly and those requiring long-term care.

Over her career, Marla worked at several care facilities, including Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital, where she met her close friend Suzie. Marla also was very fond of Suzie’s children who considered her their “Aunt Marla.”

Marla’s last job was with Genesis Corporation at Holly Manor in Mendham. She worked there until 2022, when her cancer resurfaced. While recently convalescing at Holly Manor, many former colleagues visited Marla in the days before her death. All insisted that she was the best Director of Social Services they had ever known.

Marla and Jenn began dating in 2018. They spent many happy years in Towaco with their cats: Max, Linus, Cali, Butterfinger, and Tuxxi. Marla and Jenn loved to go on day trips into the City where they would go on food tours or take in a show. They enjoyed going on drives locally and always stopped to see the animals they found at the local farms. Time spent together was so precious to both of them regardless of what they were doing.

Marla’s passing leaves a deep hole in the hearts of many. Always focused on others, she was loved so much more than she knew.

To honor her great love of animals, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or Best Friends Animal Society.

The family will be receiving guests for Marla on Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 10:15 am to 10:45 am at Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, 68 Old Short Hills Road, Livingston, NJ 07039, followed by a funeral service beginning at 11:00 am. Burial will be private.