NORA (NORMA) COHEN SELIGMAN's Obituary
Nora Cohen Seligman age 100 of Boynton Beach passed away on February 18. Beloved wife of the late Robert Seligman; Loving mother of David B. (Kate) Seligman, Jeremy Lee (Laura) Seligman, and Beth Nan (Marvin) Pincus; Cherished grandmother of Steven (Laura) Pincus, Rachel (Leonard Bellanca) Seligman, Rebecca (Thomas McDade) Seligman, Leah Seligman, Eva Seligman, Julie (Michael Aug) Pincus, and Katya (Josh) Jones; Adored great grandmother of Joshua, Michael, James, Benjamin, Samuel, and Nico. Dear sister of the late Lillian Lieb and the late Celia Gerson; much loved aunt of Barbara Grossman and her daughters, and Joel and Linda Gerson.
Nora was born in New York City, the youngest of 3 daughters born to Simon and Jennie Cohen, both immigrants from Eastern Europe who traveled to the US to escape the oppression of the pogroms occurring there at the end of the 19th century. Nora grew up in Newark, NJ and was in the first graduating class of the then brand new Weequahic High School. She met Bob Seligman while still in high school, and they went on to have a long happy marriage of 67 years before Bob passed away. They raised their 3 children, David, Beth, and Jeremy, to have a love of learning and a strong commitment to social justice.
Nora passed on her commitment to activism not through her words so much as through her actions. She was the recipient of the Hannah G. Solomon award from the National Council of Jewish Women for her lifelong contributions to that organization. Of NCJW, she said, “Here were thinking women with energy and ideals, who were willing to act on their beliefs, and to continue to learn as the world around us continued to change".
Her engagement with NCJW included many leadership roles, including President of the Maplewood Division in Essex County, NJ, and serving on the National Committee Constitutional Rights Task Force. When she and Bob retired to Florida in 1979, she became associated with the Boca Delray section and helped form the Daytime Branch of that section, serving in many roles, from Program Chairperson, Administrative Vice President, two separate terms as President, and two national task force committees.
Nora was also involved with other organizations, including Temple Sisterhood Board, Bnai Brith, and League of Women Voters and the local WeCare, but NCJW was always the focus of her energy and efforts.
Nora only recently moved from an Independent Living facility to Assisted Living and maintained a clear mind right up to the very end. She always sought to find the best in people and situations, and will be missed by her 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the National Council of Jewish Women. Private Funeral Services will be held on February 19, 2021.
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