Obituary of Diane Cohen

Diane Cohen, our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother died peaceably at home on March 17, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Diane was born June 11, 1938 in Vineland, New Jersey to Myer Berkowitz and Ida Mae Berkowitz. Diane was predeceased by her parents. Diane's first career was a dental hygienist. Thereafter, she matriculated at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) and obtained an undergraduate degree. She then attended Temple University Law School, obtained her law degree, successfully passed the New Jersey Bar Examination, commenced the practice of law, and ultimately formed a partnership with her husband Samuel Gerstein. In 1993 Diane was elected the first women president of the Camden County Bar Association. In June 1998 she was nominated by the then Governor of New Jersey, Christy Whitman and with the advice and consent of the New Jersey Senate. She was appointed Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey. Diane was assigned as a family judge of Vicinage 15 which included Gloucester, Cumberland, and Salem Counties. Shortly after taking office she was appointed Presiding Judge of Vicinage 15. During the course of Diane's illustrious career as a lawyer and thereafter as a judge her accomplishments were varied to include: teaching Family Law Skills and Methods to newly admitted attorneys, teaching and mentoring new judges in the Family Part, teaching at all 'Family Division Judges' statewide retreats on various topics in Family Law, sitting on various New Jersey Supreme Court committees, and lecturing on the New Jersey State Bar Family Law Section. Moreover, she began a procedure to protect abused and neglected children whose biological parental rights had been court terminated who were still not adopted after many years. The procedure begun by Diane in Cumberland County was adopted statewide and became a 'Best Practice for the Children in Course' case type. Diane was recognized on many occasions for her achievements to include: New Jersey Commission on Women - Woman of the Year 1992, Camden County Council of Girl Scouts, Inc. - Outstanding Woman of Achievement, Camden County Bar Association - Peter J. Devine Award. Diane retired as a judge in 2005. Upon retirement and moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico she continued with an active life serving as a docent at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Diane is survived by her husband Samuel Gerstein, children: Ronald, Stuart, Amy, Jeffrey, and Neal together with grandchildren Margaux, Cole, Hannah Rose, Joshua, Abraham, Hugh, and Eden. A service honoring Diane's life will be held Thursday March 20, 2014 at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut St., Vineland, New Jersey at XXXX AM, followed by burial at Alliance Cemetery, Pittsgrove, New Jersey. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Diane's honor to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Society - 2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87104 or to Temple Beth Hillel / Beth Abraham - PO Box 2205, Vineland, New Jersey 08362.