Gloria Cohen, rebetzzin and piano instructor

GLORIA COHEN, a piano instructor and the wife of the late Rabbi Bertram Samuel Cohen, died in Birchwood Place, an assisted living facility in Skokie, IL on Sunday evening, April 28. She was 78 .

Cohen was noted for always giving gifts. She always made small donations in honor of special occasions or as memorials for the departed and was known for knitting items to be given or sent to loved ones and friends. A native of New York, she was a longtime Brooklyn Dodgers fan and followed the club even after they left for Los Angeles.

After meeting and marrying her husband, the couple moved to New Orleans, where she became a noted piano instructor and taught multitudes of students how to play piano. She was also a major supporter for the New Orleans Saints. The couple remained married for 48 years until the time of the rabbi’s passing.

Following Hurricane Katrina, she was forced to relocate to Skokie, IL to be near her only child. She shared living space for a short time before living in her own apartment for several more years. Due to her health, she relocated to Birchwood Place about two years ago.

Cohen is survived by her son Isaac Cohen (Rusi) and a granddaughter. A graveside funeral service officiated by Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik of Chicago, IL and Rabbi Uri Topolosky of Congregation Beth Israel was held at 10:00 a.m on April 30 at the New Beth Israel Cemetery, 4400 Elysian Fields Avenue. Memorial donations are suggested to Congregation Beth Israel , 4004 West Esplanade Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002.