Joy Alice Ruth Cohen

On September 15, 2026, Joy Alice Ruth Cohen entered eternal rest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard M. Cohen, her parents, Reverend Walter & Marguerite Ruth, and her sister, Carol R. Darcy.

Born in Peoria, IL on June 26, 1938, Joy grew up primarily in the Midwest. She graduated from Capital University in Columbus, OH (1960) with her nursing degree (BSN) then obtained her master’s degree from Yale University’s School of Nursing (MSN, 1963).

Her early years in Nursing were spent in Labor & Delivery and Maternal-Newborn health. She was a Pioneer in the field of Nurse Midwifery and was a champion for Planned Parenthood. Fulfilling a long time educational goal, she obtained her PhD from Walden University in Organizational & Health Care Management (1997). She was a holistic practitioner of Therapeutic Touch and Hypnosis and was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing.

Joy leaves behind her daughter, Dr. Cynthia Ruth Cohen (Dean Bastarache) of Sterling, MA, her niece, Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt (Pastor Brian and son, Nathaniel) of Marysville, OH, and nephews, Paul Cohen (and family) of Palm Harbor, FL, Lawrence Cohen (and family) of Mahwah, NJ and Andrew Cohen, of Arlington, VA.

Her strong Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life. The daughter of a Lutheran Pastor, her family moved around often as she was growing up but their life always centered around the Church and volunteerism. Whether as a board member at Cynthia’s school, serving on numerous Church Councils, Chairperson of the CT Foodbank Association, serving Communion to shut-ins or providing families with respite care for loved ones, her ministry was that of service. She loved music, close connections with people and the joys of nature, especially the ocean.

Anyone who knew Joy knew of her love for all of God’s creatures. She was never without her special canine companions, most recently her beloved Havanese, Snickerdoodle; good and faithful friend.

Of all of her accomplishments, her two most important were her 48 year marriage to Howard and her relationship with her daughter, Cynthia. She loved her family and friends wholly and unconditionally.

A member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Holden, MA, (346 Shrewsbury St) her Celebration of Life Service will be held there on October 17, 2026 at 12:00pm. The service will be public and live-streamed. Light refreshments, sandwiches, and desserts will follow the service in the church gym

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthoodaction.org) in Joy’s name.