February 9, 1919–August 16, 2014
Merle D. Cohn, 95, a longtime Mercer Island resident and prominent Seattle attorney, passed away on August 16, 2014, surrounded by his family.
Raised in Seattle, Merle attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington, where he earned his BA in political science and his JD at the University of Washington School of Law. He practiced law in Seattle for over 50 years and truly loved his profession.
Merle will be remembered for his remarkable business acumen and legal mind, his clarity of thought, his calm and quiet wisdom as well as his philanthropic leadership in B’nai B’rith, the Stroum Jewish Community Center, and on the national board of the Anti-Defamation League. During World War II, Merle flew in the Air Force and his service ignited a lifelong love of travel. With his wife Lorraine, he traveled to more than 30 countries, never missing a chance to sail or collect indigenous art.
Merle leaves behind his devoted wife Lorraine, who will forever miss the love of her life. He is also survived by his two daughters, Cathi Kerwick (Alan) and Julie Friedman (Steve), two granddaughters, Kelly Kerwick (Dan) and Ali Friedman (Agustin), his grandson, Ben Friedman, and great grandson, Oliver. Merle was preceded in death by his father, Lou Cohn, his mother, Tillie Cohn, and his three sisters, Sally Ann Maltin, Rhoda Mae Kolberg, and Dorothy Cohn Linderman.
Services were held at the chapel at the Herzl Memorial Park Cemetery in Shoreline on August 19, 2014.