PORTLAND – Leah Cohen, 98, was the sunshine in the life of everyone who knew her. She was born and grew up as part of the Munjoy Hill crowd of the ’20s and ’30s, and married her childhood sweetheart, M. William “Bill” Cohen.

She and her husband were part of the greatest generation. She was devoted to her family and friends and had a zest for life and for voicing an opinion. She cherished the close-knit Jewish community of Portland, the friends and choral group at OLLIE, and the bell choir at the Woodford’s Congregational Church. She and her family enjoyed summers at Sebago Lake and boating on Casco Bay.

She was a lifelong artist and made many large-scale oil paintings and for the last year, watercolors. She taught art at Cape Elizabeth High School for many years and always said that she could teach anybody to draw. All of her students appreciated her wisdom, and several have successful careers in art.

If any of you have doubts about vitamins, she started a regimen more than 40 years ago for an eye condition, and they must have contributed to her sharp intellect right until the end.

She leaves her children, Susan and her husband Errol, Richard and his wife Linda, and David (Kavi); and grandchildren Mark, Lilly, Ben, and Sasha.

A Celebration of Life will follow. You may offer your condolences or share your memories at http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to PortlandAreaVillages.org , a great organization that allowed Leah to stay at home until the end.