LEONA MILDRED COHN Obituary (1929 - 2016)

Leona Mildred Cohn, daughter of Michael and Sarah Parness, passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016. She was born on November 20, 1929, in Minneapolis, MN. As the youngest of five children, she took great delight in being doted upon. An avid artist, she aspired to be a fashion designer, but circumstances prevented her from pursuing her ambition. She was married in 1960 to Bernard Fine, who was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force, and after his passing, to Martin Cohn, who passed away in 2014. Leona and Martin were active members at Ohev Shalom, where she was very involved with B’nai B’rith and Club 100. Leona was an administrator at several agencies, including Blue Cross, Jewish National Fund, and the Jewish Community Center where she retired at the age of 72. She was very strong at shorthand and could type at blazing speed. During her retirement, she thrived in her art class at the Heritage Center, with a focus on family portraits and floral landscapes. She truly enjoyed the social aspect of the art class, and she was also blessed with a wonderful group of friends at the Atriums where she resided the last several years. Family was her priority. She was renowned for her hosting of holiday dinners and preparing for tenfold the number of guests. She also lovingly baked chocolate chip cookies weekly for her grandchildren. She is survived by her sons, Michael and Steven; daughters in law, Nancy and Beatrice (who she bragged she selected for Steven); grandchildren, Jamie, Jacob, Benjamin, Eric, Stacy, and Peter; and countless nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Tuesday, December 6, 2016, at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO. Interment will be at Sheffield Cemetery, 6200 Wilson Rd, Kansas City, MO 64123. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Congregation Ohev Shalom, 5311 W 75th Street, Prairie Village, KS 66208; Jewish Family Services Jet Express Program, 5801 W 115th Street, #103, Overland Park, KS 66211; the Jewish Community Center’s art program, 5801 W 115th Street, #101, Overland Park, KS 66211; or the charity of your choice.