Barbara N. Cohen

Barbara Nathalie Malinick Cohen, sister of Paula Malinick, daughter of Nathan and Virginia Malinick, and former wife of Herbert Cohen, died peacefully at her home at Greenspring Village in Springfield, VA. She died one day short of her 81st birthday. She is survived by her children Doug, Mitch, his wife Susan, and Adam and David Kranz. Born in Washington, DC as were her parents and children. Barbara leaves friends she loved and many who had passed on before her. Friends were her passion- there was always so much to say but so little time! She graduated from Arlington’s Washington Lee High School in 1951; she was a dental assistant in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and the 1980’s. She and her partner, Jeanne Kranz, successfully ran “Jekyll’s-Hide Leather”, a leather crafts business, during the 1970’s, and also operated a franchise of “Renta Yenta”, whose motto was “we’ll do anything, as long as it’s legal and kind.” Barbara’s favorite things, besides her friends and family, were “flowers, birds, tuna sandwiches, and bagels.” She often said that “she was built for comfort, not for speed” and she indeed enjoyed a full life at her own pace that included lots of time for laughter and love for everyone who knew her.In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to express your love and friendship with a contribution to a charity of your choice.Immediately following the ceremony, everyone is invited to the home of Mitch and Susan Cohen, 9584 Lindenbrook Street, Fairfax VA for food and refreshments. The home is 15 minutes from the cemetery; directions to be provided immediately following the ceremony please note that the home is not handicap-accessible.For Greenspring residents, Doug, Mitch, and Susan will have a dinner at Greenspring Village in honor of Barbara at a date and time to be announced.The family will be receiving shiva visits at the home of Mitch and Susan Cohen Sunday, Monday & Tuesday between 5:30 – 7:30 PM.A graveside service will take place at King David Cemetery, Falls Church, VA, on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 10am. Arrangements are under the direction of Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA, under contract with the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington.