Shirley Lenora Cohn
Shirley Lenora Cohn of Overland Park, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away on July 9, 2020.
Shirley was born Jan. 13, 1929, in St. Louis to Herman and Betty Hersh. She was a lifelong resident of St. Louis until moving to Overland Park in 1999. Shirley graduated early and at the top of her class from Soldan High School. She immediately enrolled in secretarial school so she could help her parents with finances. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone until she married.
In 1967, Shirley married Edwin Cohn with whom she had a daughter, Helaine. Shirley not only took care of her husband and daughter but was dedicated to caring for her parents, a special-needs sister, Edwin’s mother and aunts, and other members of the extended family.
Once Edwin retired, the two became active in OASIS, a learning and community service organization. Shirley took classes at OASIS and volunteered with them. They reconnected with old friends and made new friends through OASIS with whom they enjoyed dining, seeing shows and going to concerts.
In 1999, Shirley and Edwin moved to Overland Park to be closer to their daughter Helaine and her family. In Overland Park, she occasionally took classes at the Heritage Center at the Jewish Community Center where Edwin had found a new set of friends. She also enjoyed playing with her granddaughters, Hannah and Rachel.
Shirley was a quiet person who always looked out for family and friends’ best interests. She liked to read, listen to classical music and have things tidy, neat and organized.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, Gladys Hersh. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Helaine Cohn and Eric Poe, and granddaughters, Hannah and Rachel Poe.
Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arrangements by The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.