Carol Gene Cohen

Carol Gene Cohen, a loving wife and an amazing mother and grandmother, was born on November 28, 1942, in Dallas, Texas, and passed away at age 77 on February 4, 2020. She was the eldest child of the late Maxine and Erwin Waldman, and grandchild of the late Rose and Maurice Polakoff and the late Rosa and Abraham Waldman. Raised in Dallas, Carol Gene graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1960, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She then attended Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans and graduated in 1964.

While in college, she met Howard Sheldon Cohen from Glencoe, Illinois, and they married 4 years later, on June 21, 1964. They moved to Northbrook, Illinois, for the first few years of married life, and returned to Dallas in 1969. Carol Gene and Howard shared 55 wonderful years together and raised their family in Dallas.

Carol Gene, also affectionately called “CG”, Nana, and “the Queen”, enjoyed many things. She loved reading and Jewish ancestry and was a Mahjong extraordinaire. But most of all, she enjoyed being with her family and friends and helping others.

Carol Gene started her teaching career at Northwood Junior High in Highland Park, Illinois. She continued at Parkhill Junior High in Dallas, Texas, beginning in 1980 where she taught history and English as a Second Language (ESL). During her tenure at Parkhill, she served as chair of both the history and ESL departments, and widely known one of the best educators to serve in the school. Her love of teaching was memorably illustrated by using songs to teach history. She helped many students (and often their families) learn English as a second language after they migrated to the United States.

After retiring from teaching, Carol Gene naturally transitioned to college placement counseling, and founded Cohen’s College Connection in 1992 to help former students and others apply to colleges and graduate schools. Ultimately, she successfully placed over 2500 students around the country into many colleges and universities for over 25 years.

Carol Gene was a lifelong active member and volunteer in her community. In high school, she served as president of the Jenny Schepps B’nai Brith Girls of Dallas and attended the District and National B’nai Brith Youth Organization as well. She later served during her professional years as Chairman of the Board of the RISD History Department and Chairman of the Board of Education at Shearith Israel for 10 years. She went on to receive the coveted Bess Nathan Young Leadership Award of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and was also a lifetime member of the National Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah.

Carol Gene will be missed and praised by so many. She will be remembered as an incredible mentor, for her amazing support, and generosity and for her inclusivity to so many. A true role model, she was truly one-of-a-kind.

Carol Gene is survived by her husband, Howard, her children, Kay Ellen Pollack (Jake), Scott Cohen (Barbi), Wendy Elliott (Leo), and Mark Cohen (Lauren), and her grandchildren, Ryan and Ben Pollack, Kacey, Ella, and Olivia Cohen, Ethan and Connor Tobias and Jayden and Riley Cohen.

Carol Gene is also survived by her sister Cherie Small (Neal), her brother Steve Waldman (Jackie), her brother-in-law, Joel Cohen, and her sister in law, Rozanne Zanger, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers are Ryan Pollack, Ben Pollack, Justin Small, Todd Waldman, Michael Waldman, and Andy Pastor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Congregation Shearith Israel Small/Waldman/Cohen Music Fund, the Maxine and Erwin Waldman Youth Scholarship Fund of the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, or to a charity of choice.