I will always remember her. She left way too soon. To the twins I just want to say. I will always remember her. Your Mom and Dad also. And of course you girls the twins. 
Fondly, Valerie

After my first husband died. I was lucky to become the wife of Max Duarte. We have been married 39 years. 

Fondly Valerie Schmelzer Duarte

Our deepest sympathies
Russ and Dorothy Henderson
Russ is an OLC employee

For our beloved Mardele...May your memory be a blessing, and may you rest in peace.......with love from Ed!

Dear Friends,
I want to thank those of you who showed your love and compassion for Mardele and for me. We spoke for hours about her gratitude for all the deep and caring relationships she saw in her life. I am heartbroken.  Thank you, Marla 

Full length furs in winter, cocktails at lunch on hard days, reading the paper each morning, Mardele taught me all of the best things about style, grace, professionalism, and poise. 

Oh, and Baxter as Mr. Cohen! "Mr. Cohen and I are just going to cuddle up in bed this weekend."

Her award winning P.U.P. campaign to keep our waterways clean and help us all be better citizens and caretakers of our planet.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with her, laugh with her, and learn from her. I send my deepest condolences to her family and friends. Mardele is a ray of light that continues to shine. Her work made the world a better place and our lives richer for knowing her.

Both Bill and I were fortunate to know Mardele as friends and colleagues. Bill at City Hall in 1979 during the Voinovich Administration and me at the Ohio Lottery years later. She was a vibrant, free spirited , go to person that got things done. She had a genuine interest in everyone’s families. In 1987 Claire Rosacco and Mardele arranged for our daughter Melissa to attend the cast party of the movie “”Light of Day” featuring Micheal J Fox and Joan Jett which was filmed in Cleveland. A treasured  highlight of our daughters teen years ! It was as if she took on roles to suit the situation; a drill sergeant, a confidant, motherly concern ,  sisterly advice or aunt to everyone’s children and animals. She was unselfish in every way always caring for her family and friends. May all our memories of Mardele bring a smile to our hearts. 

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent Van Gogh, thank you Mardele for all the love you showed not only to  Bill and I and our children but to everyone.

Bill and Patty Vasil

I first met Mardele shortly after George was elected Mayor. I found a beautiful menorah hidden away in an old vault in the mayor's office. It was badly tarnished, but we soon had it gleaming. Since we were close to Hanukah, I asked GVV if he would like to have the menorah lit for that special holiday. He agreed and we invited Rabbi Armand Cohen of Park Synagogue to light the menorah. It was not a public ceremony, only the mayor, myself and the Rabbi plus Tibor our City Hall photographer. Shortly before the lighting, I got a call from a young lady I did not know named Mardele Cohen. She introduced herself, and asked if she could attend the ceremony. Leave it to Mardele to find out about this unannounced event. I did invite her, the only other person in the room, and that is how we became friends from that very moment. I cherished our relationship and her for all these years. Though I had long since left Cleveland, she remained in my heart, and will continue to do so.  Mardele was a one of a kind, just a magnificent, caring person! May her memory be a blessing and may she rest in peace. 

Dear Cohen Family,
My sincere sympathy to you on the passing of Mardele. 
Please know I am thinking of all of you at this difficult time.
fondly, jill lerman strauss

Mardele, I will always remember you in that fabulous red dress at our wedding and you joining my late Aunt Judy for the blessings I’ve rather wine and challah. We will miss you Grantie but your spirit will live on in us and your grand-gumdrops. 
Love,
Leah, wife of Danny Simon (nephew)

Our common Father sends the world certain people to teach us the meaning of kindness, vivacity and warmth. Mardele was one of those messengers. Every encounter with Mardele delivered what it promised: A lifted spirit, a lighter heart. May all who mourn Mardele be comforted by memories of  the happiness she brought us.

So sorry for your loss.
May her memory be a blessing and may she Rest In Peace.
Karen Feldman 

I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mardele.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I worked with her at the Lottery for many years, she was a very nice lady who brought smiles to all of our faces. Mardele knew about my love for the Cleveland Cavs, and one day she gave me an authentic Lebron James jersey that she won at an Auction.   She will be missed. 

Sincerely,
Kassan

Oh Mardele, how you will be missed. I owe you so much. You were an instrumental part in the growth of my company. And you became a fast friend. You took an avid interest in my children and I was looking forward to getting together this summer to update you on their growth. I admired your confidence and wit. I will miss you forever. 

I am shocked and saddened at the death of my former colleague and friend Mardele. She was a unique and spirited woman with such class!

Her energy and enthusiasm and sense of humour were contagious. Mardele was a force of nature.

Such a loss. My prayers and healing energy to her loved ones.

Sandy

My dearest Mardele.....I worked with her at the Lottery.  Loved her immediately, who else could pull off a bright red boa at work?  

Sassy, honest, kind and generous, 
LOVED HER SPUNK!

You will be missed, 
the world was a better place with you in it.

I was so saddened to hear of Mardele passing......we had many great times together. I mostly remember us playing backgammon until the wee hours of the morning, and getting up to go to the beach the next morning for some serious tanning......she had a great fun spirit about her.......I’m so sorry for her family.

My sincere sympathy to you all.  So very sorry.

Mardele was a strong and special person. 
She so reminded me of her Mother, Claire. 
She will be missed. It is leaving a whole in our family.
May she rest in peace.


OBITUARY

Mardele L. Cohen

December 31, 1949 – April 29, 2021

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services