Ellen Cohen

Ellen Cohen, 83, of Rocky Hill, CT passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Known affectionately as Auntie to her three nieces whom she loved as her own and as Bubba to her six grand nieces and nephews, Ellen was a dedicated and loving aunt, sister, friend and alterkacker to so many. She grew up in West Hartford, CT and was a proud graduate of Conard High School (‘59.) Ellen will be remembered for her love of travel, zest for life and gift of gab. From Westside Market to The Crown to Curves, Ellen made friends everywhere she went. That outgoing personality served her well throughout her career. After graduating from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, she became a kindergarten teacher in New Rochelle and Hartford. She then moved to Manhattan where she worked as a Production Manager at “Billboard Magazine” and “Floor Covering Weekly.” She later worked in The Hartford Courant’s special advertising section, “Feminine Topics,” and Newspapers in Education section where she made lifelong friends. She also spent a decade working at Maple View Manor before returning to her first love - the classroom - where she taught preschoolers up to eighth graders. Ellen loved to bake and was one of the toughest cookies you’d ever meet. She was feisty, frank and fiercely loyal. She never met a dog, beach or Barbra Streisand song she didn’t love. Ellen is predeceased by her parents, Ada and David Cohen. She is survived by her younger sister, Margie Gelfenbien and her brother-in-law, Roger Gelfenbien, of Wethersfield, CT. She also leaves behind three adoring nieces, Robin Gelfenbien and her partner, Ken Brady, of NYC/Sherman, CT, Jill Gelfenbien and her wife, Tanya Adorno of Wethersfield, and Lori Chabot and her husband Brian of Littleton, MA and six grandnieces and grandnephews, Jenna, Morgan, James, Ben, Kevin and Teagan. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday, December 31st at 10:30 am at Weinsteins Mortuary. Interment will follow at Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery in Hartford, CT. The family will receive friends at Weinsteins Mortuary on Tuesday from 9:45 - 10:15 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ellen’s memory may be made to the National Park Foundation at https://www.nationalparks.org/ , the Humane Society at https://www.humanesociety.org/, or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/.