Natalie Cohen

Natalie Cohen (Born Natalie Maxine Shwartzapel) was a devoted wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend. Everyone loved Natalie, she was friendly, loving, caring, and helpful. She was motivated more than anything to make things easier and improve the lives of her husband (Sheldon Cohen), her two children (Bennett Cohen and Andrea Cohen), and her three grandchildren (Eli Cohen, Lila Cohen, and Anders Shenholm). She will be so very missed.

Natalie was really smart, funny, energetic and gregarious. She and her sister Marilyn (pre-deceased), grew up comfortably in the Bronx, NY. Her father, Meyer Shwartzapel worked from the ground up as a new immigrant new to this country, to become a successful wholesaler in the paper industry. Her mother, Hilda, made a courageous journey to America as a young woman and made a good life for herself through hard work and determination.

Natalie met her husband Sheldon, now a retired attorney, at sleep-away camp when they were teens and they married when she was 23. Natalie graduated from Hunter College with a BS in nutrition. She worked as a hospital dietitian, then as middle school teacher, then as a manger of Coop apartment complexes in Queens. She retired about 5 years ago. She was well known and liked in her community of Bayside Queens where she moved to in 1966. She raised her children in Bayside and lived there until her passing. She was very active in the community serving on various community boards and councils.

If you knew Natalie, either directly or through her children or grandchildren, you were part of her family. She thought the world of any friend of her children or grandchildren. We welcome you to share your memories of Natalie here of through email to Bennett ([email protected]) or Andrea ([email protected]). Donations in her memory may be made to the Northshore Animal League (516-883-7575). In accordance with her wishes there will be a small graveside service for immediate family.