Obituary of Jayleen Beverly Cohen

Jayleen Beverly Cohen, 84, passed away on February 29th, 2016 surrounded by family in the home she loved and built in Hazelton, ID, while enjoying the view of "her" South Hills. She was born at home June 12, 1931 in Clarence, New York, the only child of Jay and Florence Brunck. She grew up and attended school in Clarence. She was always proud to be a graduating member of the class of 1949 and often referred to herself as a 49er. After attending University of Buffalo for one year she continued her education in Chicago at the Sherwood Music School, where she graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Music. It was while she was in Chicago she met her lifelong friend Charlene Meyerhoff of Eden, ID. Charlene and Jayleen would help at the USO club and dance with the service men, it was at this time that she was introduced to a Navy sailor named Richard Martin Cohen of Patchogue, NY. After many letters and a long distance courtship they wed in Clarence, NY Sept. 11, 1955. Dick continued his Navy career and they lived in Cuba and Key West, eventually settling in Patchogue, NY. Together they raised two children Mark & Rochelle. In 1973, following a cross country trip to visit Charlene in Idaho, they went home to Long Island and packed up all of their belongings and moved to Eden, ID. They loved the slower pace of life in Idaho and wanted to provide a better life for their children. Jayleen began teaching piano lessons in Idaho and it's been said that 75% of Eastern Jerome County took lessons from her at one point in time. She also worked for the Valley School District as either a teacher's aide or foster Grandmother for more than 30 years. She was Grandma Cohen to hundreds of students over the years. Dick passed away in 1981. Following his death she became the sole provider and wasn't afraid to work regardless of how difficult the job might be. She enjoyed traveling through the years and has always appreciated the beauty of Idaho, which she proudly called home. Family was always important to her and she was fortunate enough to have her Granddaughter & Grandson, Nicole and Jordan Johnstone, as well as her two Great Granddaughters, Riley and Aubrey Johnstone live with her and care for her the past two years. She was grateful for their love, compassion and assistance. She is survived her son Mark Cohen (Rebekah), Daughter Rochelle Anderson (Robert), Granddaughters Nicole Johnstone (Jordan), Shilo Miller (Dustin), Great Granddaughters Riley & Aubrey and Great Grandson Stetson. She is also survived by loving in-laws and a host of long-time friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Jay and Florence Brunck and Richard Cohen. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Silver & Gold Senior Citizen center of Eden, the Valley Viking Foundation for Musical Scholarships or another Musical Arts program of your choice. Memorial services will be held at Rosenau Funeral Home on Saturday March 5th with a viewing beginning at 9:00 am with services to follow at 10:00 AM. Burial in Hazelton, ID will follow as well as a luncheon at the Silver and Gold Senior center in Eden, ID at 1:00 PM.