ForeverMissed
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Portrait (1998)

Ruthmary Cohen, 97, beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, and long-time resident of Ann Arbor, died peacefully on January 3, 2019, following a brief illness.

She is survived by sons, Joel and Jonathan, daughters-in-law, Pat and Glauce, grandchildren, Alex, Leonardo, Sofia and Isabela, niece, Gail, and nephew, Michael. In addition to surviving her husband, Harold, she also survived her younger brother, David Woolf, who died in 2017 at age 91.

Tributes

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Vicki Cohn Pollard
February 8, 2019
February 8, 2019
It's always said that one dies as one lives. Ruthmary died peacefully, surrounded by her family. She lived peacefully, with family always of great importance to her. Ruthmary kept in touch with me long after I had moved away from home, was married, raising my own children. She wrote about the choices she was making in her life - unusual choices for those years. She wrote about eating healthfully, about exercising in a loving way. She was a visionary in many ways. I felt a connection with her, as she chose to live somewhat outside the box. She added something quite special to my life. I'm grateful to her.
Arlene C Rubin
January 22, 2019
January 22, 2019
My grandmother, Ida Woolf Cohn or Gommy, and Ruthmary's father (Uncle Joe to us) were brother and sister. When the Woolf family visited Decatur, IL where my family lived, they brought intellectual curiosity, deep interest in children, and a quiet, sweet aura. My grandfather, Louis or Bopa, hosted an every-five-year birthday celebration--an excuse for an all-family gathering, a ritual continued by my father. Bopa's side of the family was rambunctious, extroverted, and humor-loving--which sometimes overwhelmed these gatherings by sheer number and volume. But I remember finding a way to absorb and appreciate those Woolf characteristics, too--and that is how I remember Ruthmary. Gentle, kind, multi-faceted, experimental--and many other adjectives used by others above. I am picturing her soft-featured face with generous lips and smile.
Pam Ferris
January 21, 2019
January 21, 2019
I remember Rosemary well, and know she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
She was a lively, interesting and interested person who always had an abundance of energy and a zest for life! 
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Joel and Jonathon and their families during this difficult time. May the fondest memories of the times you shared stay in your hearts forever, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew her!
Much love,
Pam
Francy Cohn Melnik Starr’s 3rd daughter
Pat Pecorella
January 15, 2019
January 15, 2019
I've known Ruthmary for over 40 years because I'm married to Jonathan, her younger son. I've always admired her intelligent, vivacious and exploratory nature. So did my father, who met her at our wedding rehearsal party (which Ruthmary threw for us) in 1976. He shared with me how much he enjoyed her. I think she brought up for him fond memories of my mother, who had passed a handful of years before our wedding. I also admire how gracefully she surrendered to her decline - I know she's smiling now.
Leonardo Koslosky
January 10, 2019
January 10, 2019
Nana, a very intelligent woman who inspired people around her with great strength and positive thinking. I know she is resting in a better place, she is still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, she lives on.
Liz Hill
January 10, 2019
January 10, 2019
What an honor to have known your mother. She was always a bright spot in the day when she came out to the club for her swim. I was always amazed at her enthusiasm for life and learning, and her ability to bring sunshine even on the cloudy days. She was one of the truly special people you meet in life and she will be missed but always in our hearts.
John Schneider
January 7, 2019
January 7, 2019
I grew up on Arella with her sons. I have many good memories... especially learning to square dance in her basement in 3rd or 4th grade.
E Kimball
January 7, 2019
January 7, 2019
Those of us who enjoyed Readers Theater with her will miss her enthusiasm and sense of humor.
Ed Kimball
Leo Bleiman
January 7, 2019
January 7, 2019
Jill and I extend our heartfelt condolences on Ruthmary's passing. Ninety-seven years of a life well-lived. We will always remember her for the shared family get togethers, family Seders and newsletters of her yearly accomplishments and activities, as well as her visits through the years.
Marcy Fry
January 6, 2019
January 6, 2019
Thanks so much for posting this website. I learned so much about her I didn't know. What an incredible, accomplished woman! May she rest in peace. - Marcy Melnik Fry (Francy Cohn Melnik's first born daughter)

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Recent Tributes
Vicki Cohn Pollard
February 8, 2019
February 8, 2019
It's always said that one dies as one lives. Ruthmary died peacefully, surrounded by her family. She lived peacefully, with family always of great importance to her. Ruthmary kept in touch with me long after I had moved away from home, was married, raising my own children. She wrote about the choices she was making in her life - unusual choices for those years. She wrote about eating healthfully, about exercising in a loving way. She was a visionary in many ways. I felt a connection with her, as she chose to live somewhat outside the box. She added something quite special to my life. I'm grateful to her.
Arlene C Rubin
January 22, 2019
January 22, 2019
My grandmother, Ida Woolf Cohn or Gommy, and Ruthmary's father (Uncle Joe to us) were brother and sister. When the Woolf family visited Decatur, IL where my family lived, they brought intellectual curiosity, deep interest in children, and a quiet, sweet aura. My grandfather, Louis or Bopa, hosted an every-five-year birthday celebration--an excuse for an all-family gathering, a ritual continued by my father. Bopa's side of the family was rambunctious, extroverted, and humor-loving--which sometimes overwhelmed these gatherings by sheer number and volume. But I remember finding a way to absorb and appreciate those Woolf characteristics, too--and that is how I remember Ruthmary. Gentle, kind, multi-faceted, experimental--and many other adjectives used by others above. I am picturing her soft-featured face with generous lips and smile.
Pam Ferris
January 21, 2019
January 21, 2019
I remember Rosemary well, and know she will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
She was a lively, interesting and interested person who always had an abundance of energy and a zest for life! 
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Joel and Jonathon and their families during this difficult time. May the fondest memories of the times you shared stay in your hearts forever, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew her!
Much love,
Pam
Francy Cohn Melnik Starr’s 3rd daughter
View all 10 tributes
Gallery
Ca. 2002
With niece Gail at San Francisco family reunion (June 1996)
With Joel at San Francisco family reunion (June 1996)
Dancing with nephew Mick at grandnephew Jason's Bar Mitzvah (May, 1997)
With brother David (Nov/Dec 1985)
The Cohen/Woolf Clan (Nov/Dec 1985)
With friend from Readers Theater, Martha Kimball, who passed away 11/2/2018
Portrait (1998)
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Her Life
January 6, 2019
by Jonathan Cohen

Ruthmary was born in Pittsburgh on March 2, 1921, and grew up in Toledo, Ohio where she achieved the then highest award in Girl Scouts, the Golden Eaglet.She graduated from The College of Wooster in 1942 and lived in the Chicago area during and after World War II, where she worked as a regional administrator for the Girl Scouts, and met and married her husband, Harold, a Navy veteran and electronics engineer.While living in Waukegan, Illinois in the early 1950s, Ruthmary, along with other members of the American Association of University Women, co-founded that city’s first nursery school.

Ruthmary, her husband and two sons moved to Ann Arbor in 1955 where she later obtained Master’s degrees in Education and Library Science from The University of Michigan.Following her husband’s death in 1963, Ruthmary worked as a school teacher and librarian, and had a long career as a medical records librarian for Washtenaw County Community Mental Health.She was also an original member of Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor’s first reform Jewish synagogue, and acted as her college alumni class secretary for a number of years.At the time of her death, Ruthmary was a resident of Glacier Hills Senior Living Community.

Ruthmary had a lifelong love of learning and many interests and hobbies including children’s literature, classical and folk music, creative writing, camping, Elderhostel programs, yoga, swimming, Scrabble and crossword puzzles, natural foods cooking, and exploring and following a healthy lifestyle.

Recent stories
January 21, 2019
by Jonathan Cohen

From Mark McDaniel (1974 Oberlin grad):

I met Ruthmary once, and it created an indelible memory for me. Nearly 50 years ago, Jon invited several fellow students at Oberlin College to join him for a weekend visit to his house in Ann Arbor. I jumped at the opportunity, always enjoying a chance to get out of Oberlin for a while.But the true joy of that weekend turned out not to be getting out of Oberlin per se, but being welcomed to a house where preparing and serving delicious food was a focus.Ruthmary loved to cook, and she was very good at it.And from what I could tell, Ruthmary loved to see people enjoying her food.Never was there a better match. I had just finished wrestling season. Though I didn’t have to starve myself to make my weight class, I still had to forego some foods (desserts) and was ready to get back to a normal diet.Ruthmary’s house seemed like heaven. She kept serving me one great dish after another, and with as many helpings as I wanted.My main memory of that trip is sitting at Ruthmary’s table eating. We were both very happy with each other, I think.On Sunday she served bagels and lox, something I had never had; it became and has remained one of my favorites. But it wasn’t all about the food. I remember Ruthmary being so inviting and pleased to have every one of us in her house. The genuine warmth of her welcome and hospitality is enduring to me. I am saddened that I never got to see her again after that trip.

January 21, 2019
by Ruth Fields

I first met Ruthmary 8 yrs ago when she called me up to receive a massage. I saw her weekly over the next 3 yrs in her home on Arella. I followed her when she transitioned to Glacier Hills. She became part of my family. My kids loved as well as my dog Nina. The last two years we spent a lot of time together. I would visit with her about twice a week. She loved our guided meditation sessions. I will truly miss her, our talks, reading the guideposts together, listening to classical music together. What a kind soul she was, a gift to me and my family. 

My Aunt Ruthmary

January 7, 2019
by Gail Woolf

I loved and will always be grateful for Aunt Ruthmary's love. I considered her as a second Mother, wise friend, role model, and confidant.


 I loved her humor, and specifically remember some really fun activities such juggling scarves, and wearing silly animal noses one winter holiday.
I admired her positive approaches, amazing discipline, and loving guidance for  enhanced health and spiritual ease. I was inspired by her comitment and we shared interests and discussed the importance ofsuperior nutrition, exercise and activities. Her comitment to living life fully including continuing to swim, do yoga, line dancing,polarity treatments, and other complementary health modalities, etc. All of those activities and including her journal writing, artistic endeavors and music playing made her such a shining example and role model to me. 

I enjoyed receiving her cards and especially when she shared her activities, thoughts, and journal entries through many conversations and visits over the years. 

Aunt Ruthmary will always have a special place and  be the sparkling golden hug around my heart !

Sending my and our Love and deepest condolences.

Gail and Michael




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