Obituary of Sylvia Brody Cohen

Sylvia Brody Cohen, Mom, Grammy, wife of loving husband of 39 years Malcolm Cohen, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Denver, Colorado on January 8, 2026. Born April 8, 1940 in Schlater, Mississippi to Louis (“Papa Louie”) and Fannye Brody, she leaves a strong family legacy through her brother Mel Brody, her children Brent Ladd (Eileen), Corey Ladd (Chris), Stacey Siegel (Johnny), and Candice Goldstein (Alan), along with her grandchildren, Shannon Ladd (Elana), Ryan Ladd, Brody Ladd (Talia), Ariana Ladd, Lauren Seiss (Matt), Margot Siegel, Micah Goldstein, Daphna Goldstein and Koby Goldstein. And most recently, her legacy continued with the birth of great grandchildren Noa and Micah Ladd and Savanna Seiss (honoring Sylvia). There is nothing that made her happier and more smiley than kissing and holding the hands of those beautiful babies the day before she passed. Having lived in Dallas for more than 60 years, Sylvia and Malcolm were longtime active members of Temple Emanuel.

What Grammy is known for is family, friends, food, open-mindedness, the importance of education, and love. The yellow wall phone with the extra long spiral cord in her home on Mendenhall in the 70's was well used. She would talk for hours to friends and family while the cord allowed her to stretch all the way to the kitchen while cooking. Chopped liver, twice baked potatoes with cheddar cheese, tender matzah ball soup (the best cure for anything), very rare prime rib, and eggy bread (French toast) are just a few of the famous recipes we all enjoy. Not only was her food enjoyed by friends and family, but also by her dogs, whom she loved with the same vigor she had with family. From Buffy and Jeans to Shana, Princess and Ladybug, they were her special companions. She would see a super moon, a sunset or a beautiful bird and call to ask if we saw it too because she wondered at the beauties of the world and saw miracles every day of her life.

Every family event, from bar/bat mitzvahs to weddings or funerals, she was there to smile, to support, to be a light to everyone around. Everyone remembers the "speeches" at Yom Kippur or Shabbat as she gushed over how special it is to be with her family. She, and Malcolm together, never missed an opportunity to introduce their offspring to their friends and never saw a person at a restaurant that they didn't say hello to and strike up a conversation with. That was what we call the Grammy vortex. We invite anyone who knows Sylvia to get on your long corded, yellow phone to call up the many memories you may have to keep her soul alive forever.

If you wish to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests making a donation to anywhere special to you as that would make her very happy. The causes she would most appreciate are Temple Emanu-El Dallas, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, or the Alzheimer's Association. A private celebration of life will be held in January.

As Grammy would always say with love and care….."Don't Forget to Breathe" and "Night, Night."