Phyllis Cohen

Phyllis Cohen, age 96, of Erie, PA, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 10, 2020 in her home. She was born in New York City, June 7, 1924, to the late Ernest K. (Fritz) and Minnie Selly Baehr.

After relocating to Toronto, Canada, while her husband completed his medical degree, the family settled in Erie. Phyllis worked as the office manager at her husband’s family medicine practice and served as a leader for the Girl Scouts. She spent many years enjoying golf at The Kahkwa Club, and she was an avid swimmer at the Glenwood Park YMCA on Cherry Street. Phyllis was still swimming almost every morning well into her 90s. 

Phyllis enjoyed music, especially Frank Sinatra, and was a talented bridge player. She loved reading and enjoyed participating in a wonderful book club with other women from Temple Ashe Hesed. She had a passion for crossword puzzles and was still completing the New York Times crossword with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter in the days before her passing.

She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who adored her family. She was cherished as a matriarch by both her relatives and those who looked to her as a second mother. Her cooking and laughter filled the kitchen and warmed the home where all were welcome.

She is survived by her children, Eric (Linda), and Bob (Noreen Connolly); her grandchildren, Julie Cohen, Meaghan Cohen, and Andrew Cohen (Kaitlyn Crawford); and beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, Phyllis is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. William Cohen M.D., her daughter, Deborah, and sister, Lorraine Hurd Wilkinson.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to Phyllis’s caregivers, Sheila Fritts and Sarah Wentling, for their loving and compassionate care.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Service Inc. Downtown, 602 W. 10^th Street, Erie. A celebration of life will be held online at a future time.