It is with great sadness that I pass along this information...

Mary Cohen, a long time subscriber to the FML and writer of many
memorable ferret songs and carols, died on August 27th from the
effects of COPD.

In addition to her love of ferrets, Mary was an artist who concentrated
on major works in most forms of needlework and extraordinary
miniatures. She was also an accomplished pianist and sang with the
chorus of the Handel & Hayden Society. She was appropriately born
on Valentines day in 1935 and leaves a brother Bill and her husband
Joel, just five months after their 50th anniversary.

Her husband Joel asks only, that in her memory, anyone who smokes or
has ever smoked read about and get tested for COPD.

COPD is an insidious, debilitating, unstoppable, and terrifying disease
that is eventually, the primary cause of death for anyone who has it.
It begins destroying a person's lungs many years before it is noticed
or diagnosed. Thereafter, it continues to reduce their ability to
breathe until they can no longer survive, even with pressurized oxygen.
All the while, the terrifying feeling that you are smothering, the
progressive reduction in your ability to move about, and the knowledge
that it will continue to get worse, robs much from your life before
finally taking it.

From Ronnie:
I first met Mary when she adopted Noel from the Operation SAFE Ferret
Rescue after the 1998 FML get-together in Florida. Mary was an
incredibly gifted and prolific artist who created museum quality
tapestries and miniatures (including a miniature of the Rainbow
Bridge), as well as the wonderful set of ferret needlepoints. Her
work was magnificent!

Mary and Joel were very generous and dedicated ferret folks who could
be seen at Alicia and Dino's annual Ferretstock celebrations. They were
also among the earliest supporters of Mass. Ferret Friends. At one
time, they had 12 ferrets and Mary was planning on making a ferret
clock with a picture of each of them (not sure that ever happened, but
it was a great idea!). Among the many ferrets who enjoyed a wonderful
home with them was Antonio, one of the New Jersey 2000 Rescue ferrets
(who died this year), adopted from Ferretwise (after Anne Ryan's
incredible care!). Mary also loved skunks and especially angora
ferrets.

Mary and Joel were very lucky to have celebrated their 50th anniversary
this year. I don't think I have ever met two people who were more
devoted to each other. If you would like to contact Joel, his email is
[log in to unmask]

I know Mary has rejoined her many friends, both animal and human, at
the Rainbow Bridge. She will always be missed by everyone who knew her
here.

Ronnie DiComo

[Posted in FML 6082]