Obituary: Mary Cohen Steinberg

Mary Cohen Steinberg of Augusta passed away on April 7, 2019, at the age of 95, after a lengthy illness. Mary was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on January 19, 1924, the first child of Ethel and Henry Cohen.

She graduated from James Madison High in Brooklyn in 1941 and Adelphi College in Garden City in 1945. After college, she worked for J. Walter Thompson in New York City, at the time the largest advertising agency in the world.

Her budding career was cut short when one of her cousins in Augusta set her up on a blind date with Maurice Steinberg, an attorney and World War II naval officer. Less than 10 months after their first date, they married, and Mary moved to Augusta. While moving from New York to Augusta in 1947 was a definite culture shock, Mary immersed herself in her new hometown and went on to spend more than 70 productive, happy years in Augusta. She was a superb and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

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For most of her adult life, Mary focused on a broad range of charitable activities.  She served as president of the local chapters of Planned Parenthood and the League of Women Voters, as well as the Parent Teacher Association of her children’s elementary school. She also served on the boards of the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and others.

In addition to her many leadership positions, she was a frequent hands-on volunteer at the Adas Yeshurun Synagogue, the Golden Harvest Food Bank, and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

The mayor of Augusta asked her to serve on the Augusta Human Relations Commission. She and Maurice were the first recipients of a community-wide humanitarian award. She was recognized as the woman of the year or volunteer of the year by many organizations.

When her youngest child left for college, Mary returned to graduate school in psychology. In her early 50s she restarted her career in psychoeducational testing of children. She had a gentle, reassuring manner that immediately put young children at ease. 

She and Maurice loved to travel, particularly in their later years. They traveled to Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Japan and China. They covered many countries of Western Europe, including France, Italy and England. They traveled throughout Scandinavia and also went to Hawaii and Mexico. They also enjoyed annual vacation getaways to Hilton Head, S.C., and Cashiers, N.C.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Henry Cohen; her husband Maurice; her son Henry; her brother Michael Cohen; and her grandson Joshua Redd. She is survived by her children, Stephen (Joan) Steinberg, Barry Steinberg, and Lynn (Lewis) Redd; her grandchildren, Andrew (Ann) Steinberg, Jacob Redd, Jordan Redd, and Hannah Redd; and great-grandson, Emmitt Steinberg. She is also survived by her sister and best friend, Randy Siegelson, and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held April 8, 2019, at Magnolia Cemetery in Augusta.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Adas Yeshurun Synagogue, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.