CAROLA VIVIAN COHN
Carola Vivian Cohn transitioned on Sept. 11, 2017 surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She is survived by Stuart, her husband of 68 years; her three daughters, Laura (Terry) Knight, Ellen Cohn, and Nancy Cohn; her grandsons, Kyle Knight, Justin Burke and Joshua Burke; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Celene and Harold Jacobson, her niece, Myra Cohn, and her nephew, Zachary Cohn.
Carola grew up in Chicago and met Stu at the University of Illinois. Early in their marriage she worked while Stu completed his medical training. They then moved to the northern Michigan town of Alpena to raise their family. Carola always wanted to make her community a better place and didn’t wait to be asked. She started by volunteering at her daughters’ elementary school library and gradually developed her leadership skills until she became president of the county school board. Along the way she played an instrumental role in building a new public library, served as president of the local League of Women Voters, taught Sunday school, and discreetly helped any child or adult who sought her counsel.
Carola and Stu retired to Henderson County in 1985, enjoying their life on a bold stream near Tuxedo. Carola was a regular volunteer at the Green River Library. Her sense of fairness and justice brought her to Pisgah Legal Services, where she gave her talents wherever needed, and especially as a mediator. In 2008 the agency recognized her constant, insightful efforts by presenting her with the Community Service Award. Giving back financially to her community was also important to Carola. She was particularly proud when she and Stu were honored with the Community Foundation’s Sauer Award in 2012.
Carola was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin. Her friendships flourished for decades. Until her memory failed her, she never failed to stay in touch with farflung friends and relatives.
Her family gives grateful thanks to the staffs of Elizabeth House and the Neuroscience Unit of Mission Hospital for their compassionate and professional care.
Remember Carola by never passing up an opportunity to be kind and fair. A celebration of life will be held later.
If you choose to make a memorial, Carola especially supported: Pisgah Legal Services, PO Box 2276, Asheville, NC 28802, http://www.pisgahlegal.org/ , Conserving Carolina, 847 Case Street Hendersonville, NC 28792, http://conservingcarolina.org/, Community Foundation of Henderson County, 401 North Main St., Suite 300, Hendersonville, NC 28792, http://www.cfhcforever.org/or Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, 211 N. 1st Ave. Alpena, MI 49707https://www.alpenalibrary.org/supportthelibraryFoundation.
Thos. Shepherd & Son, Hendersonville, NC is in charge of arrangements.