Obituary: Annie Necha Cohen

Annie Necha Cohen was born in the 12th arrondissement in Paris, France, in March 1946 to parents Mathys and Mania Ajzenfarb. The daughter of Polish immigrants born just after World War II, Annie grew up mostly in an orphanage in Pontault-Combault run by the Jewish agency for children in France. She lived in the orphanage until she was 19, creating deep and life-long friendships with the other girls and counselors, some of whom she remained in touch with until today.

Although she lived in the orphanage, she was looked after by two dear families, the Savdies, living in London, and the Doueks, living in Paris, both with Egyptian roots. This connection led her to meet her life partner, Maurice, when she was 16 years old, who was an Egyptian immigrant to France that was eight years her senior. They began dating soon after meeting, and a short while later, Maurice applied for a visa to the U.S. He emigrated first, and she followed four years later, with love letters going back and forth while they were apart. She set sail in June of 1967 on a five-day voyage aboard a boat called “Le France” to join Maurice in Atlanta. They married two weeks after she arrived, a few months after her 21st birthday. Maurice’s five siblings and spouses all also moved to Atlanta, creating a loving network of family, giving her dear brothers- and sisters-in-law.

Annie and Maurice worked together to build a life and a family in Atlanta. Using her French language skills and her degree from Lycee Sophie Germain, she worked for many years at the Belgian Consulate. Following that, she joined Maurice in running a retail store in downtown Atlanta. Years later, she would join him at Mayson Foods, working with him up until a few months ago.

For one that found herself without much family at a young age, Annie was incredibly social, ready to talk to anyone and everyone with her endearing French accent. She was quick with a smile and always ready to dance. Her cooking was legendary. She adopted Sephardic cooking as her own and made many Egyptian dishes to everyone’s delight.

Along the way, Annie and Maurice welcomed two sons, Andre and Daniel, and Annie went on to spoil them until her last days. She was so happy to welcome their spouses, Justine and Diana, into her world, finally having daughters (in-law). She took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren – Emma, Jordan, Gavin, Elijah, Ezra, and Asher – hosting Chanukah parties and planning family trips so her beloved children and grandchildren could enjoy special times together.

Annie took her life as an orphan head on and built relationship after relationship, filling her life with family and love, always wanting to bring her family together to celebrate happy occasions. One would be hard-pressed to imagine that she could ever have been a shy, little 5-year-old girl. She came across the Atlantic with a big heart, a big smile, and beautiful blue eyes.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a contribution to the Jewish National Fund, ORT, Atlanta Jewish Academy, or The Weber School. The funeral was held at 9 a.m. on May 21, 2026, at Arlington Memorial Park, officiated by Rabbi Joshua Heller of Congregation B’nai Torah. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.