Joan Zimmerman Cohen, 73, passed away on July 14, 2026, at AdventHealth Winter Park Hospital (Florida).

Born on March 18, 1953, in Atlanta, Georgia, Joan was the beloved daughter of the late Ilaine (Manne) Zimmerman and Benjamin Harris Zimmerman.

Joan dedicated her life to serving children as a Special Education teacher, helping students with learning disabilities achieve their fullest potential. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's degree in Special Education and spent her career inspiring young minds through her compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment to education.

Following her retirement, Joan continued her lifelong passion for teaching by volunteering for eleven years in her daughter Lori Cohen's kindergarten classroom. She found great joy in helping children grow, learn, and believe in themselves. Joan will be remembered for her radiant smile, kind heart, generous spirit, and infectious positivity. She was a beautiful and bright light whose warmth touched the lives of all who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make others feel valued, supported, and loved. Her kindness, generous heart, and enduring optimism will be remembered always by her family, friends, former students, colleagues, and all whose lives she enriched.

She is survived by her daughter, Lori Cohen; her son, Andrew Cohen; and her brother, Charles Zimmerman.

A Celebration of Joan's Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan's memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Joan's legacy of kindness, service, and love will live on in the countless children she taught, the family she cherished, and the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.