Nancy Cohen

Our beloved mother, Nancy Ellen Petrie Cohen, age 80, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away on November 12, 2025, at Mayo Clinic following a brief battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on February 2, 1945, in Little Falls, New York, and raised in Dolgeville by her parents, Arnold and Mildred Petrie, Nancy grew up alongside her older sister, Jane. Summers at the family camp on Canada Lake were especially treasured, where she loved hunting for arrowheads, boating, waterskiing, and spending time with family and friends.

Nancy graduated from St. Lawrence University, where she was known for her infectious spirit and warm, outgoing nature. In her early married years, she and her husband, Larry Cohen, owned and operated a ski shop in Massachusetts-an experience she remembered with fondness and characteristic humor.

In addition to the love and care Nancy dedicated to her family, her true calling was education. Throughout her career, most recently as a 5th-grade history teacher at St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Virginia, she was admired for her vibrant personality and ability to inspire confidence and curiosity in every child she taught.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Larry. She is lovingly survived by her daughters, Sarah Rassier (Cohen) and Emily Cohen; her stepchildren Jody Papandrew (Cohen), Chris Cohen, and Nancy Cohen; and her sister, Jane Davis (Petrie).

Nancy will be remembered for her humor, generous hospitality, and unmistakable zest for life.

A celebration of Nancy's life will be held at the Plummer House in Rochester, Minnesota, on November 22, 2025, at 2 p.m.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be directed to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org Floral tributes for the service may be sent in Nancy's memory to: 721 6th Avenue SW, Rochester Minnesota 55902.