Ruth Cohen Obituary

Ruth Ellen Cohen, a beloved mother and sister, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025 after a 4-1/2 year battle with cancer. She was 69 years old and passed at her home in Palm City, Florida under the care of Treasure Coast Hospice with her sister and a friend by her side.
Ruth was born to Virginia (Detwiler) Small and Theodore Small on November 15, 1955 in Phoenixville, PA. She was raised by her mother in Phoenixille and graduated from Phoenixville Area High School in 1973. At PAHS, she was active in sports, played oboe in the concert band and cymbals in the marching band. She had a variety of part-time jobs during high school with the longest tenure being at Novitski's Bakery. Ruth and her mother had a love of cake that they passed along to Ruth's younger daughter Kimberly.
After graduating high school, Ruth attended nursing school at Abington Memorial Hospital where she earned her license as a Registered Nurse. Her nursing career began at home in the Phoenixille Hospital. After several years, Ruth married Marc Cohen and moved to Florida where she continued her nursing career in Miami, Ocala, and finally in Stuart. Ruth went on to earn her credentials as a Cardio-Vascular Nurse (RN-BC) and worked in cardiac rehabilitation until her retirement in 2021.
Ruth was devoted to her daughters Melissa and Kimberly and provided them with support throughout their lives. She volunteered at their schools, assisted with Girls Scouts, and followed their musical endeavors by attending their concerts and recitals. Her pride was evident as her daughters sought higher education. Melissa graduated from the University of Florida and earned her law degree, Juris Doctor (JD), from Stetson University. Melissa now works for Meta. Kimberly earned her Bachelor of Arts from Florida Atlantic University, trained as a cardiac monitor tech, and is now a registered EEG tech working at Cleveland Clinic Martin North, the same hospital where her mother worked.
Ruth had interests beyond her family. She loved her two dogs, Maya a high strung rescue who stole her heart and Chase a Catahoula Leopard Dog, who both tried her patience and made her laugh. She made friends with every dog in her neighborhood. Accompanied by family or a dear friend, she enjoyed cruising on both long and short voyages. She had even planned a summer 2025 trip to Alaska with her sister Ann. It was her great disappointment that her health did not allow for them to take that trip. Even so, she maintained her optimism that she would bounce back to be able to go out to lunch, ride the Tiki Taxi on the St. Lucie River, and shop at Publix.
Ruth had a huge heart and was respected by all her friends who characterized her as being generous and an inspiration. Even while battling the cancer that eventually took her life, Ruth remained positive, strong, and an inspiration to everyone she met.
Ruth is survived by her daughter Melissa Cohen of Chicago, IL, her daughter Kimberly Cohen and Kimberly's husband Harry Catling of Stuart, FL, her ex-husband Marc Cohen of Palm City, and a sister Ann Small who lives in Ephrata, PA.
Cremation was carried out by Affordable Choice Cremation in Stuart, FL. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ruth, please visit our floral store.