Cohen, Anna Santoro – of Stow, MA, died peacefully in her home on January 1, 2022 with family by her side. Born in Norwood, MA, on December 9, 1929 to parents Henry Santoro and Rose Poillucci Santoro, Anna was a graduate of the Peabody School for Girls in Norwood. One of nine children, Anna was raised on a small family farm with eight brothers and sisters, and had a life-long love of gardening, cooking, and celebrating with family. Growing up she was a champion roller-skater, an actress, and belonged to the Neponset Choral Society where she starred in several Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas.
Anna married the late Albert Cohen (formerly of the West End of Boston) in 1958, and together they raised three children and had five grandchildren whom they adored. A loving mother, grandmother, sister, and Aunt, Anna was a devoted wife who loved travelling the world with her husband and children. She was an avid reader, often reading three books at a time, and she was a consummate host, welcoming and hosting friends, family, and her husband’s business associates from around the world on a moment’s notice. Anna earned her real estate license, and was also a classroom aid to special needs students, and an accomplished sewer who enjoyed making costumes for school plays and other festive occasions. She had a lifelong love of Cape Cod, where she and Al spent their summers at their lovely home in Brewster, surrounded by family and friends.
After their eldest daughter was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 1992, Anna and Al established the ESSCO-MGH Breast Cancer Research Fund at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA, to support novel breast cancer research that might one day lead to a cure. Anna has been a dedicated fundraiser and supporter of the fund ever since.
Anna is survived by her daughter Lynn Cohen Brennan and husband Kevin Brennan of Stow, MA, daughter Missy Cohen-Fyffe and husband Doug Fyffe of Pelham, NH, and daughter Bambi Cohen Rosenquist and her husband David Rosenquist of Wrentham, MA, as well as her five grandchildren, Benjamin Brennan, Max Rosenquist, Joshua Fyffe, Andrew Fyffe, and Anna Rosenquist. Anna also leaves behind her loving and beloved brother Charles Santoro and his wife Diane of West Wareham, MA, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. To keep family and friends safe during these difficult pandemic times, the family will have a private graveside service, followed by a Spring memorial celebration. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The ESSCO-MGH Breast Cancer Research Fund, c/o Robert van de Graaff, MGH Development Office, 124 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114.
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