Joan (Joseloff) Kohn

Joan Joseloff Kohn of Bloomfield, Connecticut, passed away Thursday October 4th. Born July 14, 1925 in New York City, she was the daughter of Morris and Lillian Leiterman Joseloff, civic leaders and philanthropists. She graduated with honors from the Loomis Chaffee School where she was Head of Student Government and an accomplished athlete. She attended Connecticut College for Women. She was married to Staff Sergeant Marine Bernhard Lyon Kohn in 1944. During their time in Virginia, she served as a nurse’s aide and was recognized by the state for her many hours of service. After the war, she and her husband returned to West Hartford where she was involved in many civic organizations and in women’s golf. She was a founding board member of the Hartford Stage Company and served on the boards of the Bushnell Memorial, the Hartford Art School, and the American Red Cross. She was a Regent at the University of Hartford and was awarded the degree of Doctor of the University of Hartford in 1966. She was also a member of the board of the Wadsworth Atheneum where she served on the Executive Committee, the Nominating Committee, and as Chairwoman of the Collection’s Committee. She was awarded the Goodwin Medal for her service to the Atheneum in 1991 and was named an honorary trustee in 1992. She served on the board of trustees of the Loomis Chaffee School for 24 years where she was on the Committee for Trustees, the Executive Committee, and the Building Committee. She was awarded the School’s Distinguished Service Medal in 2007. She was a Corporator of Hartford Hospital. She also served as Head of the Grandparent’s Committee at Renbrook School. Mrs. Kohn was an accomplished golfer having won 36 various club championships as well as runner up in the CWGA Seniors Championships. She played in the Woman’s National Amateur in 1961 where she won her 1st match. She served on the CWGA Board for many years and was slated to be its president in 1970, but after the death of her father, she took over the running of the Sycamore Corporation, its subsidiaries and the Morris Joseloff Foundation, and resigned from the CWGA board. Joan is survived by her daughter, Kathryn Rieger and her husband, Charles C. Rieger Jr. of Naples, Florida; her son, Bernhard L. Kohn Jr. and his wife, Carol of Bloomfield, Connecticut; her grandchildren, Bernhard L. Kohn III and his wife, Marti, and two great-granddaughters, August and Marlowe of Los Angeles, California; Elizabeth Kohn of New York City; Kimberly M. Frezados and her husband, Gregory, and twin great-granddaughters, Caroline and Lillian of Winnetka, Illinois; and Michael B. Masius Jr. of Naples, Florida. She is also survived by her niece, Marcy Taub Wessel and her husband Thomas, and their son Henry; and her nephew Henry J. N. Taub II, all of Houston, Texas.

The funeral is at the convenience of her family. Donations in her memory can be made to the Loomis Chaffee School and to the Wadsworth Atheneum. A celebration of her life will be held at the Hartford Golf Club, 134 Norwood Road, West Hartford, Connecticut on Friday, November 16th from 12-2pm. Arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein Mortuary.

Service Date: 01/01/1970