Helen S. Cogan

Helen S. Cogan, 96, (b. 12/15/1929) of Ithaca, NY, died Saturday, January 31, 2026 at her home in the Tudor House at Bridges Cornell Heights. At the time of her death, she was with her daughter, Judy, and a treasured caregiver.

Helen was deeply loved by her family and so many dear friends. She was a wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Judy and her son-in-law, Dr. Chris Devenpeck, her son, Michael. along with her beloved grandchildren, Alexander Bedell, Hayden Miller, Grayson Miller, Jesse Cogan, Sam Cogan, Erik Devenpeck, Carla Devenpeck and her husband, Ben Jacobs, So many others were significant to her, but especially Jeffrey Miller, several nieces and nephews and too many special friends to name here. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Howard, her high school sweetheart and one true love. Also predeceasing her were her daughter, Barbara (Bedell), son-in-law, Jeff (Bedell), her parents, Jesse and Frances (Epstein) Snyder, and her little brother Bernard (Bunny) Snyder.

Helen was born in Rochester, NY and moved to Syracuse when she was a little girl. At the age of 12, her family moved to Ithaca and at the tender age of 14, she met Howard and began going steady. They were married 7 years later and enjoyed a bond rarely seen for the next 57 years. Helen and Howard not only thrived at home, raising four children together, they also worked together at their advertising business, Cogan Associates. It was there that Howard coined the phrase, "Ithaca is Gorges." It was one of Helen's greatest joys to brag to anyone she met that it was her husband who created that slogan. She was so filled with pride for him. She regularly wore t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats emblazoned with those words. Helen served as Howard's administrative assistant, bookkeeper, and office manager from the mid-1960's until they retired and closed up shop in about 2003. The beautiful building that housed their office on Albany St. is still called "The Cogan House" in their honor.

Helen was active and involved in the community. She volunteered at Cayuga Medical's outpatient surgery center and knitted over 100 hats for the babies born at the hospital. She attended Aquacise classes three days a week at the YMCA for approximately 15 years, rarely missing a day. She loved playing mahjong and hosted weekly sessions at her home for her group of friends called, "The Mahjong Mavens." She also loved playing cards with her friends and her oldest grandson, Alexander, in the evenings.

When COVID hit, Helen moved in with her daughter and son-in-law at their home in Groton, where she shared space with at least 4 cats, 1 dog and 3 guinea pigs. She loved sitting on the deck watching the birds at the feeders, helping harvest vegetables from the garden, watching Judy do barn chores, (from a distance, of course, because she still had a little fear of horses), and playing cards with Chris and Judy. During the three and half years she lived with them, there were many adventures and new experiences the three of them shared.

In 2003, Helen chose to move to Bridges Cornell Heights, in the Craftsman House, an assisted living facility. She made so many new friends there, both residents and staff, and she thrived with the social life that kind of living provided to her. After a hospitalization in 2025, Helen needed more care than the Craftsman House could provide, so she moved across the street to the Tudor House. The change was hard for her, but eventually, she got comfortable there and accepted that it was the right place for her to be to get all the help she needed. She got the greatest joy from her friends and her family's visits, but the live musical entertainment was truly uplifting for her. She could often be seen singing along with her favorite musical guest, George, who plays guitar and sings songs from the early 1900's to the present day and who is full of interesting stories. He always found ways to make Helen feel special, often inserting her name into the lyrics of the songs.

The family would like to offer our deepest gratitude to the staff of Bridges Cornell Heights. They are angels on Earth; the most caring, generous, kind people we have ever had the honor of knowing. There are really no words strong enough to express how much we appreciate everything they did for our loved one.

We would also like to thank Hospicare of Ithaca, who provided Helen with the most amazing nurse, Nichole Faulkner, as her primary caregiver, and the many other folks who were always there for all of us. If you wish to make a donation in Helen's name, let us suggest that Hospicare is a most deserving recipient.

Helen, Mom, Nanny....will be greatly missed by all of us.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 4, at 10am in Temple Beth El, 402 N Tioga St., Ithaca, NY 14850. Burial will follow in Lake View Cemetery.