Betty Rae Cohen

Betty Rae Cohen, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on December 24, 2020 in Houston, Texas from complications related to COVID-19. Always smiling, Betty Rae was known for her positive outlook for everyone in her family as well as her many friends. Betty Rae had two great loves in her life. At 19, she left college to marry Bernard Chotiner, a loving marriage that lasted for sixteen years until his untimely passing. Six years later she married Ralph Cohen and together they happily raised four children, Cathy and Melanie Chotiner and Steven and Joni Cohen. The word "step" was never used in their home. Betty Rae was born to Rebecca and Mike Maltz on March 1, 1930. She had two sisters, Annette Maltz Evins and Janice Maltz Greenburg. Even while Annette and Janice raised their families in New York, all three sisters remained extremely close. When Janice's husband Robert passed away and her kids were married, Janice moved back to Houston. Betty Rae was so happy to have her sister home again with her. They often went to New York to be with Annette and her husband Lee. The three girls never had an argument and when Janice and Annette passed away, she never got over it. Family always came first to Betty Rae - her children Cathy, Melanie and Joni were her life. She especially adored being with her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. Her most cherished moments were holidays spent at Cathy's house and dinners out with her family. Betty Rae is proceeded in death by her parents, Rebecca and Mike Maltz, her son Steven Cohen and her two sisters Annette Evins (Lee) and Janice Greenburg (Robert). She is survived by her husband Ralph Cohen, her children, Cathy Wise (Robert), Melanie Chotiner and Joni Webb (Benjamin), grandchildren Philip Wise (Allison), Jeffrey Wise (Brooke) and Sarah Elisabeth Webb and great-grandchildren Laine and Burke Wise and Blake and Dylan Wise. Betty Rae is also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews. A private graveside service was held on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Garden with Rabbi David A. Lyon officiating. The family kindly requests that donations be made in Betty Rae's memory to Congregation Beth Israel or to a charity of your choice. To view a recording of the graveside service please use the following link: https://vimeo.com/495015770/622d8e6210