Obituary of Eleanor Cohen

Eleanor Mae Benjamin Cohen, "Ellie" Of Woodridge, New York June 15, 1938-September 6, 2012 74 years old Eleanor Mae Benjamin Cohen, Ellie, aged 74 died on September 6, 2012 at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow, New York. Born on June 15, 1938, Ellie was the only child of Lillian and George Benjamin of Woodridge, NY. Ellie was married to Martin Cohen, of Brooklyn, NY on August 24, 1958 and was a proud career woman, mother and grandmother. She was a graduate of Hunter College and went on for her Masters in Social Work at New York University, where she proudly completed the degree and graduated side by side with her daughter. Ellie was the co-founder of Merrell Benco Insurance Agency and the president of the Benco Finance Company. She touched the lives of many through both her work as a social worker and her volunteerism throughout Sullivan County. She was an active member of the community serving as President of Hadassah, a member of the Fallsburg Board of Education and B'nai B'rith. She was honored for spearheading fundraising efforts, most notably, Las Vegas nights and was fondly referred to as "The General" for her outstanding leadership. Ellie was a loyal and generous friend and a devoted daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Ellie is survived by her husband of 54 years, Martin Cohen, her daughter and son in law, Meri and Marc Lederer of New Paltz, NY, her daughter and son in law, Cindy and Christopher Rigling of Middletown, Connecticut and five grandchildren: Loren, 26, Julia, 23, Sarah, 27, Gerard, 24 and Lillian, 20. Ellie will always be remembered for her joyful spirit, her sense of adventure and her genuine compassion for others. The Cohen family respectfully requests that donations be made in her memory to the Hebrew Day School of Sullivan County in Kiamesha, NY. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 9, 2012, at 12:00pm, at the Congregation Ohave Sholem Synagogue in Woodridge, NY. Burial will follow in the Workman's Circle #281 Cemetery in Glen Wild. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello.