Obituary
Joan Willen Cohen, of Phoenix, MD passed away on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at the age of 79. She is survived by her beloved husband, Irvin Cohen; children, Thomas Henry (Stephanie) Cohen and Mitchell Jacques (Melissa) Cohen; siblings, Sue Willen Needle and Richard S. Willen; and grandchild, Jenna Bailey Cohen. She was predeceased by her parents, Janice and Jack Mayer Willen.
Joan was a prolific artist, and her artwork decorates homes across the country. She brought her love for art into the classroom as art educator and curriculum specialist for the Baltimore City Public School district for 32 years. Joan created an outstanding cultural/academic program, which forged a strong working relationship between the school system and local museums and theaters. She worked closely with directors and staff from local museums, theaters, and performing groups, adapting resources from these cultural institutions to reinforce curriculum in all the major disciplines. Through her leadership, thousands of inner city school children were exposed yearly to the finest arts programs. She often said that she wanted to give back to children what had been given to her in her lifetime by growing up in a family where art and music enriched her life. In retirement, Joan enjoyed biking, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family. Joan and Irv also were seasoned travelers, visiting areas of the world where Joan could live the arts and cultures of different countries.
Services at Beth Tfiloh Cemetery, 5660 Windsor Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21207, on Tuesday, November 9 at noon ET. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation at https://donate.epilepsy.com/index.cfm or sent 3540 Crain Highway, Ste 675, Bowie, MD 20716.
Arrangements by Sol Levinson. www.sollevinson.com