Barbara Shirley Cohen

Barbara Shirley Cohen, 86, passed away on Friday, September 1, 2023 in New Brunswick at the wonderful and caring Parker Nursing Home at Landing Lane.

Born and raised in Newark, and after graduating early from Weequahic High School, Barbara met the love of her life at a local dance, married, and moved to Elizabeth where she began to raise her family and create a lifelong circle of friends.  She later moved and continued to raise her family in Flanders before partially retiring and settling in Renaissance at Manchester, and then Somerset.

Barbara loved music and singing, classically trained when she was young, with a deep love of theatre and showtunes. Throughout her last few years, she was known for being the “one who sings”.  “You are My Sunshine” became her daily morning mantra.  She thoroughly enjoyed working and, along with her husband, built a thriving and successful Real Estate Appraisal business where she stayed involved with her son until she was 79.  She loved to travel, with a great affection for the Jersey Shore after spending summers in Bradley Beach as a child.  She was a wonderful cook, who always made sure everyone was fed, and had an immense love of books and knowledge…but most of all, family.  She was a doting and loving grandmother who spoiled her grandchildren any chance she got.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Cohen, Harvey Cohen and his wife Marilyn, and Emily Kramer and her husband James; her sister, Ruth Zimmer; her beloved grandchildren, Sara and Amanda Cohen, and Caden and Dylan Kramer, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who affectionately knew her as “Aunt Bobbi”.  Barbara was predeceased in 1998 by her loving husband, David N. Cohen; brothers Abe and Daniel Tucker, sister Annette Berman, and brother-in-law Jerome M. Cohen.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, September 5th, at Beth Israel Cemetery, Route 1 and Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, under the direction of Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, Spotswood.

Shiva will be observed at Temple Beth El in Hillsborough, on Tuesday, from 4:30 until 7:30 PM, with a Kaddish Prayer at 7:00, and again on Wednesday, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, with a Kaddish Prayer at 7:00 PM.

Donations honoring Barbara's memory may be made to either the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.