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Horizons Remembers Lifetime Advocate and Dear Friend:
Ann Robertson Cohen (1935-2024)
On December 24, 2024, Horizons lost a true champion in Ann Robertson Cohen, who died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, at the age of 89.
Annie and her beloved husband Dick, were active supporters of the Horizons program dating back to its inception in 1964; with Annie serving in every possible capacity during her decades-long devotion to Horizons. She worked alongside founder, George Stevens, and original Executive Director, Lyn McNaught, in the early days of the program and was a fierce and dedicated advocate for the creation of Horizons National and local expansion to Horizons at Norwalk Community College.
Original staffing of Horizons at NCCS was launched with the anticipation that volunteers would assist with many of the essential program functions, and Annie served in every role. She was a chief fundraiser -- gathering friends to support the cause -- and a primary student recruiter, spending the time and effort to befriend local pastors, public school administrators and community organizers to enroll prospective families. She helped with administration and communications in the office and planning for the benefits. She was a pool donor, carpool driver (before buses!) lunchroom volunteer, regular classroom reader, and student mentor.
Horizons friends, fellow board members, mentees and advocates were among her most treasured friendships up until the final days of her life. Not only did Annie write her solicitation notes for the annual appeal this year, but her final personal donation arrived just days before her passing. She was an active Board of Directors member, Board Chair, Board of Governors member and founding Promise Society leader. She was such a program historian and culture carrier that every subsequent NCCS Head of School, as well as Horizons ED, for over 50 years, would have an essential orientation meeting with the amazing Annie Cohen. She believed so deeply that education was the pathway to long term economic security that she made it her life’s mission to support and expand Horizons access on the NCCS campus and beyond.
We are keenly aware that many across our community will feel the loss of dear Annie. Those bright blue eyes and loving smile will be missed, but it is her wisdom and commitment to our children that will be her lasting legacy. We will be in touch soon with details about a way that our community can appropriately gather to honor her and share remembrances of an individual who personally touched so many of our lives.
*Special thanks to Amy Meyercord Stevens for authoring this beautiful tribute.
Anne Cohen Obituary
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