Judith Cohodas

Our dear Judie passed away on Thursday afternoon February 5 at her home in Aegis Marymoor Senior Living Community, Redmond, WA.

Judie was born in Allentown, PA to Annetta (Theodore) Cooper and Simon Cooper. She grew up in Allentown and attended Allen High School. Judie survived both her siblings, Gerald Cooper and Ilene Schwartz.

Judie met her husband Howard in Allentown. His Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Alvin lived 3 doors down the street and Judie would babysit his cousins. Judie and Howard were married in Allentown in 1966 and moved to the Cleveland, Ohio area. They welcomed Jonathan in 1968 and Deborah followed in 1971. In 1981, They moved to Canton, Ohio, one hour south of Cleveland. Judie lived in Canton most of her life. Her beloved Howard passed away in 2018. They were married for 52 years. She moved to Seattle in 2023 to be closer to her younger grandkids.

Judie had many interesting careers in her lifetime, from fine jewelry, to HVAC, to real estate, to elevator sales and installation, to her final role as Marketing Director at Goodwill in Canton. The work she found most meaningful was what she did serving her community. This took many forms. She was president of Canton, Ohio Chapter of Quota International. Her most proud accomplishment was as founding President of Community Harvest 34 years ago, the first food rescue program in the US.

Judie loved to be involved. She volunteered with "Court Angels" who serve as Guardians for people without a family, buying them clothes, food, and furnishings. She played Bingo and Mah Jong, attended water aerobics, and was an avid reader. When she moved to her senior living facility, she attended all the activities, providing input on movie selection (she preferred old movies, turner classic), and was an ace at trivia. She was so adored that they elected her Prom Queen. Judie was proudly Jewish and active in the Jewish community.

Judie is survived by her children Jonathan Cohodas and Deborah Seres, her children-in-law Jennifer Greif, Andy Seres, and Heather Webb, her grandchildren Samantha Cohodas, Rebekah Cohodas, Rachel Seres, and Jacob Seres, and her nephews Kenneth Schwartz and Jason Schwartz.

In Judie’s memory, we invite you to donate to the cause that meant the most to her Community Harvest.

Judie’s funeral will take place on Tuesday February 10, at 11 AM at Arnold Funeral Home 4817 Cleveland Ave NW Canton, OH 44709. Burial will be at Northlawn Cemetery at 4927 Cleveland Ave NW, Canton, OH 44709, next to the funeral home. Immediately following will be a Shiva with her family and friends at 2614 15th St NW, Canton, OH 44708 and again on Wednesday 11-2 pm. Judie’s Seattle family with host a shiva in Seattle.