Lilllian Bell Cohen

Lillian Bell Cohen, 84, died February 12, 2008 after a 10 year battle with debilitating dementia. She was born July 23, 1923 in Natchitoches, Louisiana to the late James Eugene and Ida Lillian Bell. Most often described as a “real character” she lived life to the fullest with great wit and style. She graduated from Louisiana State Normal College with a degree in Speech. During World War II she worked in Hawaii with the Civil Service then returned to Louisiana where she married and moved back to Natchitoches. Lillian was active in community affairs preferring to take the leadership role. In 1960 and 1966 she served as Chairman of the Christmas Festival. She was named the 1961 Woman of the Year by the Natchitoches Parish Chamber of Commerce. She was also an active member of the Service League and served as their president. As a long time member of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches, Lillian enjoyed conducting tours of Beau Fort. Phi Mu Sorority and the Daughters of the American Revolution were two other organizations in which she participated. Along with her volunteer work, she touched many lives during her career outside the home. For many years she worked for Northwestern State University’s athletic department and later with event planning at the NSU student union. She followed that with a position at the Department of Education’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Her proudest accomplishment was her work establishing the Natchitoches Parish Substance Abuse Clinic. Lillian worked tirelessly with individuals and groups throughout the parish to help those in crisis. Her clients, as well as, her friends knew she was available 24 hours a day to listen and to offer advice whenever problems arose. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Morris S. Cohen, identical twin sister, Maxine Bell Rieger and brother, James E. Bell. She is survived by her children, Barry M. Cohen of Streetman, TX; J. Craig Cohen and wife Jan Larson of Port Jefferson, NY; Bradford L. Cohen and wife Gayle Bellemin Cohen of Lafayette, LA; Cathy Cohen Lepley and husband James M. Lepley of Raleigh, NC; Kelly Cohen Lavercombe and husband Richard G. Lavercombe of Houston, TX and thirteen beautiful grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 3 at 3:00pm at Holy Cross Church. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family at Merci Beaucoup for a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3717 Government Street, Ste7, Alexandria, LA 71302. The Cohen family would like to express their gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for the loving care given to Lillian by her caregiver, Letreice Beasley. Thank you for bringing peace and contentment back to her final years.