Norma Cohen, 89

Norma Cohen

WARWICK, R.I. – Norma Cohen died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes on April 27, hopefully dreaming of her grandchildren, Sadie, Jake, and twins Carlie and Kendall playing in the living room, or watching a great Red Sox game on TV with her son Scott (Cohen), or making her amazing chicken soup for her daughter Susan (Cohen) and son-in-law Gary (Biale), and her daughter Stacie and son-in-law Timmy (Williams), or eating a delicious Thanksgiving family dinner.

She was born Norma Ludman and grew up in Providence,  the daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Ludman. She graduated from Hope High School and then obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. She spent her entire career working as a geriatric social worker in various nursing home settings, with a number of years spent as director of Social Services at the Jewish Home for the Aged in Providence. She found that working with the elderly and trying to make a difference in the last stages of their lives was always very rewarding and important to her.

She raised her family and lived most of her life in Cranston, in a home she loved with wonderful neighbors surrounding her.  She was the sister of the late Harold Ludman and his wife, Joan, and Nathan Ludman and his wife, Sally. She enjoyed the simple pleasures in life; looking at the ocean, a hot cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, a cold Del’s Lemonade, a good book and listening to music. Family was everything and when she was with them she thought life was perfect. She will be remembered as being happy, kind, easygoing and a great mother and Bubbie. Not liking to be the center of attention, she wanted to avoid both a 90th birthday celebration this June, and a large funeral; both wishes granted. She is now reunited with her loving husband of many years, Carl Cohen. Heartfelt thanks and much gratitude to the caring and skilled staff at Brentwood Nursing Home.

Donations can be made in her memory to Meals on Wheels RI at www.rimeals.org.