Rochester, NY: Marjorie Cohen Relin, 81, passed away peacefully on May 22, surrounded by family, after contending with lymphoma. She is survived by her husband Cary Ratcliff, daughters Rachel Relin Haswell and Jennifer Cherelin, sister Ruth Cohen, step-children Jessica Kumar and Stephen Ratcliff, grandchildren Simon and Oliver Hewat, Pahz and Tierra Cherelin, step-grandchildren Ravi and Rohan Kumar, Evelyn and Caspian Ratcliff. She was preceded in death by her first husband Lloyd Relin, her son David Oliver Relin, and her brother Jeremy Cohen.
Marjorie was a Reading Specialist in the Pittsford Central Schools for 35 years, where she applied her standards of excellence from her academic years at Smith College (Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude) to masterfully opening doors to literacy for children with reading challenges. She continued to volunteer teach in the Rochester City School District until her last few months.
Marjorie’s passion for classical music led her to study oboe. She participated in the New Horizons Orchestra and Band, formed a Wind Quintet, and played duets with her beloved husband.
Marjorie’s adventurous spirit, and love of encountering people who were different from her, led her to travel to over 30 countries, with Tibet, Southern China and Vietnam as the highlights of her life. Artifacts from these journeys adorn her and Cary’s home. Other adventures included heli-skiing, and a glider ride to celebrate her 80th birthday.
In recent years she has promoted the work of the Himalayan Cataract Project, to carry on the legacy of her son David Oliver Relin’s humanitarian work as a best-selling author and journalist. She was an early leader in the Rochester Women’s Giving Circle, was active for decades in the Rochester chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, and got herself to the inaugural Women’s March on Washington.
Marjorie’s love of gardening inspired a sanctuary of beauty, welcoming passersby, receiving visitors up to her last days. Her love of color was also expressed in her elegant appearance, floral arrangements, home decor, and her one-of-a-kind elaborately knit sweaters for her grandchildren.
Marjorie touched the lives of all who were fortunate to meet her, and will be deeply missed. Her home with her husband Cary Ratcliff was a place of family, friends, cultural and classical musical gatherings. In her husband’s words, “Go in beauty. Be wrapped in love. Go in peace.”
Information about a live-streamed memorial service being planned will be posted on Marjorie Relin’s Facebook page.