Obituary of Arla Faye Cohen

Arla Faye Cohen of Cape Elizabeth, ME died peacefully December 9, 2024.

Arla was born June 23, 1936 in St. Louis, MO to Nathan and Sadie Edelman. She graduated from Clayton High School in Clayton, MO in 1955 and earned a BA in Physical Education from the University of Texas in Austin in 1959, which is where she met her husband, Richard. She served as a secretary at the women’s physical education program at the University of Texas. Later, she served as the President of the American Association of University Women in Bangor, ME from 1967 to 1974. She ran a reading program in Presque Isle for children with disabilities and served as the Director of RSVP for the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging. Arla earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1986 from the University of Maine at Orono.

Arla was passionate about caring for the elderly and served as an activities coordinator at 75 State Street in Portland, ME. She loved her family and always had a cheery outlook. She enjoyed collecting children’s books, toys, and dolls. She was generous and liked to give small gifts to others. Arla was predeceased by her twin sister, Roma Kleiman, of Clayton, MO and her husband of 60 years, Richard Shain Cohen of Cape Elizabeth. Arla is survived by her son, Mylan Cohen, MD of Cape Elizabeth, her daughter, Candace Cohen of Portland, and six grandchildren.

In Arla’s memory, donations may be made to the Maine Council on Aging.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at directcremationofmaine.com