Anne Marie E. Zoshak Cohen, 79, died at home Aug. 16, 2025, surrounded by friends and family who supported her throughout her illness. Born in Hazleton, she was the daughter of John Joseph Zoshak Jr. and Anna Rosalie (Contini), both children of Slovak and Southern Italian immigrants, the children of coal miners.

In 1952, she relocated to Emmaus for better opportunities than the coal region could offer. She graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School in 1963 and continued her studies at Bloomsburg State and later Muhlenberg College, where she graduated in 1967. Her years at Muhlenberg were among her happiest and she treasured the lifelong friendships formed with her “Lady Mules.”

She later earned a master’s degree in counseling from Lehigh University, along with additional graduate credits

She dedicated 37 years to teaching in the East Penn School District, shaping the lives of countless children. She taught every grade from kindergarten through fifth, though the youngest students always held a special place in her heart. Later in her career, she found great joy as an ESL teacher, welcoming students from around the world and forming lasting friendships with many of them. She was known to generations as Mrs. Zoshak, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Cohen, and wherever she went, she was bound to run into a former student or family she had helped. Her kindness was instinctive — whether for a person or an animal, she never judged or turned away but offered dignity, compassion, and care.

Faith was central to her life at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Emmaus; she served as a teacher, lector, cantor, Eucharistic minister and member of the ecumenical council. She also visited the homebound and hospitalized, bringing both communion and comfort. Her voice, her presence and her generosity made her a constant light in her community.

She inherited her love of travel from her parents, who took her across the country during summer vacations. She carried that tradition on with her children, adventuring in an RV out west, visiting the Grand Canyon, exploring Maine and Nova Scotia, and more. With her late husband, Donald Cohen, she was able to see the world on cruises taking them across oceans and continents.

She was also deeply devoted to charitable causes, especially those supporting the marginalized, the abused and those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.

For more than 15 years, she faced her cancers with remarkable strength and tenacity. Though her body grew weary, her will and spirit never faltered. She pushed herself to stay active and was a vibrant member of many communities in the area.

She is survived by her son, Steven and his wife, Cindy; daughter, Suzanne; grandchildren, Hunter and Carter; brother, John Zoshak and his wife, Kathy; nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were made by Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, Emmaus, www.BKRFH.com.

Donations to a favorite charity in her name would be appreciated.