Virginia Carol "Ginger" Cohen
November 2, 1925 ~ February 24, 2016
Virginia "Ginger" Cohen died on February 24, 2016 at the Adler Center hospice in Aldie, VA after a lengthy battle against staph infection MRSA. She marked her 90th birthday days November 2 during a gala 3-day celebration with family and friends. Ginger was the 3rd of the four popular "Adler Girls" born to John and Helen Adler. She grew up in Chicago and married Alfred B. Cohen, an Army Air Force navigator during WWII and budding artist awarded a fellowship to Paris. Ginger accompanied him to Paris in 1949, became captivated by the city and soon was fluent in French. She worked as a civilian for the Department of the Army in Germany and from 1963 to 1974 at the US Embassy in Paris. She divorced after 16 years of marriage and remained at her beloved Boulevard Arago atelier where friends from all over the world came to visit.
Following 25 years as a Parisian, she returned to the US in late 1974, settled in McLean and enjoyed a long career with the CIA. She was an avid jewelry maker and enjoyed playing the piano. She leaves a sister, Georgia Reilly (Donald) of Vienna, VA; nephews, Bruce Cole (Rhonda) of Highland Park, IL, Douglas Reilly of Vienna, VA, Neil Reilly of Puerto Rico; nieces Leslie Cole of Highland Park, IL, Lynn Cole Williams of Prospect Heights, IL, Judy Goldman (Elliot) of Chautauqua, NY; and honorary daughter Maureen Dowling of McLean, VA; plus a family of devoted friends.
A memorial celebration/luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at The Atrium at Meadowlark Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. Any questions, please call Georgia Reilly at 703-281-5975.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
Following 25 years as a Parisian, she returned to the US in late 1974, settled in McLean and enjoyed a long career with the CIA. She was an avid jewelry maker and enjoyed playing the piano. She leaves a sister, Georgia Reilly (Donald) of Vienna, VA; nephews, Bruce Cole (Rhonda) of Highland Park, IL, Douglas Reilly of Vienna, VA, Neil Reilly of Puerto Rico; nieces Leslie Cole of Highland Park, IL, Lynn Cole Williams of Prospect Heights, IL, Judy Goldman (Elliot) of Chautauqua, NY; and honorary daughter Maureen Dowling of McLean, VA; plus a family of devoted friends.
A memorial celebration/luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at The Atrium at Meadowlark Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. Any questions, please call Georgia Reilly at 703-281-5975.
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Ginger was my partner in crime in our family, being close to a Bohemian-thank God! I have so many beautiful memories of being with Ginger in Paris in 1971, where she introduced me to French wine, and then in Aspen, Colorado with the whole family in the 1990s. Don (my husband) and I shared a condo with her at that time and we had a blast together. Much later, in 2012 we stayed with her for two days in Va. on our way to our niece’s wedding nearby. We had many good talks on the phone; she always asked about how Don was doing, and gave me wise counsel. Last Thanksgiving we all called her from California where the family was together, knowing she’d had a fabulous 90th birthday celebration. Ginger, you were so beautiful, delightful, resourceful and affirming of life. I am so grateful to have had you in my life; I miss you. Love forever, Marilyn
I didn’t know Ginger well but the last few years we got to know each other and she adopted me – She became more than just a friend. She will be missed
I had a lot of fun with Ginger. It saddens me to lose her.
I had a lot of fun with Ginger. It saddens me to lose her.
What a beautiful person and huge heart. I remember my dad and Ginger together, they were very close, like brother and sister. Lots of laughs and love! What a wonderful life you had, you will be truly missed? 🇮🇱
Ginger was a very soft person. My family, especially my kids, had a lot of good memories with her. We all miss her. — Kim Family
Ginger: Quintessential Parisian, always a warm welcome to her McLean “salon”: soft light, soup, wine, intelligent talk, a fond embrace combined to create truly memorable moments. Au revoir, mon cher, et bon voyage.
My Aunt Ginger, The best surrogate mother a boy could have, and the best friend a person could want. You should have been a teacher because you knew all about class. Rest easy my love, rest easy. Doug.
Ginger was a special friend to the owners and employees of Star’s Beads. She visited us once a week, and would often come in for a little extra help with her projects. She was always making something for one of her nieces and was so careful and artistic. She will be missed. Star
Ilove you Ms.Cohen!
I HAVE SUCH GOOD MEMORIES OF ISTANBUL DAYS, WE GIVE IMMORTALITY TO THOSE WE LOVE IN MEMIRIES