Obituary: Valerie Cohen Kassel

Valerie Cohen Kassel, 95, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully Sept. 28, 2020. Born in Savannah, Ga., to Mildred and A.J. Cohen, Sr., she married Milton N. Kassel, also from Savannah. In November they would have celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Growing up in Savannah, Congregation Mickve Israel was an important part of Valerie’s life. She was also involved with the Ebba Olsen Thomson Ballet Studio, where she took lessons and later taught. In the late 1960s, Valerie and Milton and their four daughters moved to Atlanta.

Valerie volunteered extensively at The Temple and the William Breman Jewish Home, and was co-president of The Temple’s Sisterhood. For many years she worked at SAG-AFTRA. She and Milton enjoyed the ballet, opera, symphony, Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Falcons. People have always been drawn to Valerie’s genuine and magnetic charm. Her positive outlook in life was contagious. One of her greatest pleasures was making people smile, even people she didn’t know.

Valerie had a long, love-filled life of which family was the center. She was a gracious and generous host of countless family gatherings but often welcomed others into the fold, including many honored “fifth” daughters. Her family holds on to wonderful memories with gratitude for having had her in their lives. They are most grateful to her caregivers for providing such loving care.

She is predeceased by her brother A.J. Cohen, Jr. She was survived by her husband Milton, who died eight days later; her children Harriet (Paul) Weinberg, Marjorie Kassel, Valerie Kassel, Jr. and Nancy Kassel; six grandchildren Amanda (Michael) Chanin, Max (Samantha) Weinberg, Glynn (fiancé Sarah Felker) McGeHee, Tobias and Kassel Leventhal and Jacob Kassel; and great-grandchildren Maya Chanin and Lucy Weinberg.

Donations in memory of Valerie Kassel may be made to The Temple in Atlanta and Cantor Kassel’s Discretionary Fund at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell. Arrangements by Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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