Doris Vidaver Cohen's Obituary
DORIS VIDAVER COHEN
June 4, 1924 - February 2, 2015
Doris Vidaver Cohen -- talented musician, poet, playwright, essayist, and author of short fiction -- died peacefully in her sleep on February 2, 2015 in Miami, FL. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Vidaver-Cohen -- also of Miami, daughter Elena (Nini) Cohen and son-in-law Steven Ritz of Santa Cruz, CA, and two grandsons -- Benjamin and Jacob Ritz. At the end of her life she was lovingly tended by her caregiver, Brunilde Martinez. Doris will be laid to rest with her husband of 68 years, Dr. Maynard M Cohen, at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
The daughter of Jay and Helen Vidaver Rosenshine, Doris grew up in Detroit, Michigan -- a member of a large extended family to whom she was devoted. In the family tradition she began studying music in childhood and performed her first classical piano concert at the age of seven years. Her love of the piano and classical music gave her joy throughout her lifetime.
Publishing as Doris Vidaver, her literary career began at the University of Michigan where she was twice awarded the prestigious Avery Hopwood Prize -- for Poetry in 1944 and for Literary Criticism in 1945. After earning the Master's Degree at Michigan she pursued post-graduate study in Creative Writing at the University of Minnesota where she worked closely with renowned authors John Berryman and Robert Penn Warren.
Moving to Chicago in 1963, Doris was a valued member of the literary and academic community for over 40 years. She taught literature and creative writing at Roosevelt University and was on the faculty of Rush University where, with her husband Dr Maynard M Cohen, she inaugurated and co-directed the Program for Humanities in Medicine. She served as Vice President of the Society of Midland Authors and frequently judged the Society's annual Book Awards Competition.
Doris Vidaver's poems, short fiction and essays were widely published in top literary journals and anthologies. Recognition for her work included the Dylan Thomas Poetry Award, the Illinois Arts Council Award for Fiction, the Chicago Tribune Nelson Algren Fiction Competition, Award for Best Radio Drama from the Madison Capital Times and a Louis Lamed Award from the Foundation for Jewish Culture for her English translations of Yiddish poetry. She was the first to dramatize C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" for the stage in 1966. The play was performed at Roosevelt University and several other Chicago venues. Her last book of poetry "Arch of a Circle" with Pearl Andelson Sherry was described as a "memorable collection... a poetry of the vital reflective life -- a poetry of internal harmonies -- which will find many grateful readers".
Throughout her life Doris traveled extensively -- writing and lecturing in England, Norway and particularly in Italy where she spent several summers working at the studio of sculptor Jacques Lipchitz on a biography of his life and work. Many of her poems and stories captured moments of these journeys, and her writing was seen by critics to "exhibit great beauty of language and of mind".
Along with her brilliant intellect and rare insight into human nature, Doris possessed a generous spirit, a wry wit, unmitigated poise and a dazzling smile. Throughout her life she remained devoted to her family and her many lifelong friends. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 9, 11:30 AM at Levitt Weinstein Memorial Chapel, 7500 State Road 7, Coconut Creek, FL, followed by a 1:15 farewell reading of her poetry at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth.
Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert (305) 865-2353
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