Geraldine "Jeri" Berenson

AMHERST/NORTHAMPTON - Geraldine (Cohen) Berenson of Amherst and Northampton died January 17th, 2026, at the age of 90. Born August 19, 1935, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Michael Cohen and Sylvia Goldberg Cohen.

On June 12, 1955, she married the love of her life, Robert Bernard Berenson. They were married for 65 years and had three children together. 

She was predeceased by her late husband Robert and much-loved daughter, Rebecca Berenson. She is survived by two sons: Ronald J. Berenson and his spouse, Hannah of Florence, and their children, Samuel, Sadie and Solomon; and David M. Berenson and his spouse, Madeleine, of Avon, Colorado and David’s children, Cody and Dylan; and by Madeline’s children, Andre and Marcel and grandchildren. She is also survived and by her son-in- law, Charles Rosenblum of Worcester, and by grandchildren, Lewis, Lena, and Liza J. Rosenblum. 

Recently, Jeri was thrilled to meet her first great grandchild, Beau. Other survivors include a sister, Dr. Wilma Finmark, and a brother, William Cohen, and his spouse, Gail. Jeri’s extended family on her father’s side, the Cohens, included 11 aunts and uncles by a much-venerated grandmother, Bessie, who was a hero to her vast family, and a model of Jewish strength and identity. Jeri lived her life dedicated to her children, grandchildren, and their children but her love and sense of duty and loving service extended far beyond her immediate family.

She distributed her love and caring widely to others through her many years of work at Jessie’s House in Northampton and the deeply loving and caring connections she made through her work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the Center for New Americans.

Jeri studied piano her entire life and enjoyed playing and watching tennis. Her kindness and generosity were a blessing to all those who came to know her and enriched her own life beyond measure.

Family and friends will gather to honor Jeri’s memory at a Graveside Funeral Service at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, January 20th at B’nai Brith Cemetery, 55 St. John’s Road, Worcester. Memorial Observance will be private. Arrangements are in the care of Miles Funeral Home of Holden. 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA, 266 Cold Spring Ave, W Springfield, MA 01089 (www.bbbswm.org) or The Center for New Americans, James House, 42 Gothic Street, Northampton, MA 01060 (www.cnam.org).