Clair S. Cohen, 88, a longtime Cold Spring resident, died July 25, 2018, in Norwalk, CT. She moved to CT eight plus years ago to be closer to her daughter, Janice Ferrucci, who resides in New Canaan.
She was born December 31, 1929, in Cincinnati, OH, the only child of Waller and Naomi (Youmans) Simpson. Her father worked for Standard Oil and her mother was a secretary and court stenographer for Harold Ickes, who was Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946. From the age of 8 to 14 she lived with her parents in New Zealand. Clair married Robert Riley on May 24, 1952, and they had two daughters, Janice and Jill. Robert Riley died in 1963 and Clair married William Cohen on July 1, 1984.
Clair lived in Cold Spring, NY for most of her adult life. After managing the Bird & Bottle Inn & Restaurant in Garrison for many years, she earned a master’s degree in nutrition at New York University and became a registered dietitian. She spent the remainder of her working life as professor, director, and chair of the Food Service Administration Division at Westchester Community College, where, in 1982, she received a federal grant to renovate the facility from a home-economics kitchen to a state-of-the-art culinary kitchen and lab. She retired in 1991.
Clair was a superb gourmet cook and adored all animals, especially dogs. She also was a longtime active member of the Philipstown Garden Club, where she served many roles including vice president of the board of directors and horticulture chair. She was a knowledgeable horticulturalist and a gifted flower arranger.
Clair was a remarkable woman of utmost dignity and integrity. She enriched the lives many people, including family, friends, and students; she was smart, kind and generous, and opened her heart, home and table to many friends in need over the years. Our world is emptier without her, and she will be missed every moment of every day.
She is survived by her husband William Cohen, two loving daughters (Janice Ferrucci of New Canaan, CT and Jill Riley of Washington, DC), two sons-in–law (Leonard Ferrucci and Stephen Fotis), and three grandchildren (Lauren Ferrucci, Matthew Ferrucci, and Riley Fotis).
In lieu of flowers, Clair asked that donations be made to the Westport, CT Humane Society. A memorial service will be held at 5 pm on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at The Chapel Restoration, 45 Market St, Cold Spring, NY.