Obituary: Edie Fay Rubin Cohen

Edie Fay Rubin Cohen, 81, of Athens, died Aug. 27, 2018. The light has gone out in many hearts as the world has lost a truly wonderful lady and gentle soul. Always gracious and kind, Edie Fay was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, grandmother and friend.

Edie was born in Atlanta, May 3, 1937. She attended Grady High School and went to the University of Georgia where she was an active member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and a sweetheart of Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. She graduated with a teaching degree from UGA and went on to teach elementary school for several years. She later retired to work at an even harder job – being a full-time mom. She met her husband, Larry, at UGA and they were married in 1959. They went on to share almost 59 magical years together. From living in Japan at Tachikawa Air Force Base, to coming home and raising a family in Athens, they shared great times and wonderful memories through the years as their family continued to grow. Edie enjoyed donating her time and was involved in many organizations. Some of the highlights include being a Pink Lady at St. Mary’s Hospital, an active member of the Congregation Children of Israel Sisterhood, and a second mom to all the girls as an advisor for Delta Phi Epsilon sorority at UGA. She loved to travel, and she and Larry were fortunate to travel the world through the years with family and friends, going on Rubin Brothers trips, her father’s floor-covering business. Later in life, she cherished the cruises the family took every year.

Family was always important to her – from taking care of her folks as they aged to welcoming her four grandchildren and even her grand-dogs – Edie was always a loving daughter, mom and grandmother for sure. Edie loved to play mahjong with friends; she enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of a hot game. She also loved to garden, dabbled in stained glass art, and was a wonderful cook (she was famous for her sweet and sour meatballs). She also loved to escape into a good book, and of course the TV was always tuned to HGTV. And we cannot forget how Edie loved to SHOP! She had a true passion for it. Nothing made her happier than finding a fantastic deal on a handbag or outfit at Loehmann’s or Marshalls or T.J. Maxx. And quite often, she would simply be shopping for others – picking up little gifts and trinkets for birthdays, thank-yous, or get-well-soons. She was always thoughtful and generous that way.

To know Edie was to truly love Edie. She touched the lives of so many with her beautiful smile and presence, always putting others first and never going anywhere empty-handed. And it truly was the simple things in life: dancing and socializing at bar mitzvahs and weddings, enjoying the rain as she sat on the porch at the lake house, overlooking the happenings on 30A from their beach condo, or simply just having her family around her. That’s what made her happiest.

Edie was preceded in death by her parents, Lakie and Myer Rubin of Atlanta, and her husband Larry of Macon, who passed just four months ago. Survivors include her daughter; Robyn Cohen (Jennifer Wall) of Roswell; sons, Mark (Sara) Cohen of Johns Creek, and John (Lisa) Cohen of Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; grandchildren, Elyssa, Jacob, Cayla and Dylan; sister, Rhalda Kahn of Atlanta; brother Les Rubin (Nermine) of Clearwater Fla.; and sister-in-law, Sandy Cohen of Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Jewish Education Loan Fund (JELF), Hospice Atlanta, and the Congregation Children of Israel in Athens.

A graveside service was held Aug. 29, 2018, at Arlington Cemetery in Atlanta. Arrangements made by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.