Dr. Leslie Renée Clement
(née Cohen)
Ph.D., Psychology
May 24, 1957 to January 28, 2020
Leslie passed after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Adored soulmate of Samuel Clement, married for 23 years. Cherished daughter of Shirley Rind Cohen and the late Avron Cohen (of B.I. Cohen Opticians). Special niece of Pearl Rind Schoenberg (the late Edward Schoenberg) of Yonkers, NY. Beloved sister and sister-in-law of Dr. Alan Cohen and Tammy Matte of Lafayette, LA, and Houston, TX, Dr. Robin Cohen and Paul Kates of Waterloo, ON. Loving aunt of Alice Kates of Canada, and six of Alan and Tammy’s children in the USA. Of the latter, we thank Dr. Amy Prudhomme and her husband, Dr. Philip Putnam, for their advice in the early stages of Leslie’s disease. Dear cousin of Gail (Hy Rissman); Martin Fogel (Sheila Bruck) of Toronto; Jeff, Brad (Marisa), and Blake Schoenberg (Roma), of NY, and their children, Billy (Valerie), Kelly (Noe; and baby Rafael), and Zane. Leslie will be missed by her cats, Bugle and Ruffles.
Leslie wanted to thank some of the special people who gave her exceptional care: Alexandre and Dr. Sarkis Meterissian for the referral to oncology; Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim, a gifted medical oncologist with a kind heart and great sense of humor, nurse Anne, Dr. David Gratton (Christine, Robyn, Carole, Liette), Dr. Richard Haichin, Dr. Anna Towers, Casi Shay at l’Esprit, Dr. Marc David, Dr. Hitesh Bhanabhai, nurse Christelle, Dr. Elena Perez, Dr. Chen, Dr. Manuel Borod, nurse Sue, Dr. Daniel Wiseman, Dr. VanNuys, nurses Prya Shah, Philip Johnston, and Taylor Fitzpatrick, nurses Maryline, Carmie, Dee, and Shane, and PAB’s Monique and Jeanne. She was eternally grateful to Dr. Hady El-Saheb who miraculously restored the sight in her right eye in 2014 prior to the diagnosis of cancer, to Dr. Susan Lindley for the referral, and to Dr. Donald Gordon for his insistence she be corrected myopic. Many thanks to Jean Coutu Pierrefonds pharmacists, Valerio, Martine, Jonathan, and Jihane, as well as Charles and others at the Cedars, for their professional expertise, diligence in following allergies, and caring treatment, some for many years.
Dr. Cohen taught thousands of students at Concordia University since the 1980s in both Psychology (Arts and Science), and Management (John Molson School of Business), where her teacher evaluations were among the top. Since 1990, she taught at Marianopolis College in Psychology, Methodology, and Management where for many years she was the head of the Enriched Commerce, and Law and Social Justice certificate groups. She was especially proud of the business cases she wrote so that her students could analyze real world problems. With colleague, Grant Caverly, she wrote the Research Methods text used for decades. She emphasized ethical research and evidence-based decision-making, and discouraged students from being led astray by false news from the media or professors pushing their bias. The truth is out there! Until the end of her life, she maintained close relationships with some of her former students. She was proud of them and delighted to see their beautiful families and professional successes. At Concordia, for 17 years, she served on the executive of the part-time faculty association, and was the Vice-President, Professional Development and Training, where she made many positive contributions often at the expense of her health. She and Sam were the people most instrumental in establishing university-wide seniority for their colleagues, which, together with qualifications, was an essential feature in job security. Leslie increased the size of the PD fund, which distributed grants to members to support their research, travel, and training. As part of the team, she negotiated one in the series of Collective Agreements, where, amongst other things, she established compensation for increases in class size. She worked tirelessly, selflessly, with honesty and integrity, often in an uphill battle against those who were more interested in their financial gain.
The most important part of her life was her relationship with her beshert Sam. Finding each other and being able to enjoy decades of happiness together was a powerful experience. They were totally compatible, sharing common attitudes, values, political views, and in their pastime. They partnered as the primary support system for their parents. When Sam was critically ill, she was there for him, and when she was ill, he was there to support her. Together along with Robin, and Helena, they formed the successful Crusader Rabbit Redux team, and competed in the McGill Centraide Trivia Challenge, led by Dr. David Noble Harpp. We are grateful to him and Mr. Zrihen at the McGill Faculty Club for their devotion, and for the many happy fun-filled evenings all to the benefit of charity. Knowledge is power, people. Go out there and quiz!! Once on disability, Leslie got the chance to learn bridge thanks to Jit at the WI YMCA. Leslie also enjoyed spin cycling, especially the downtown classes with Helen and Melanie. Last, but certainly not least, Leslie and Sam could not have managed without the family cited above and the emotional support and prayers of their valued friends. You are all wonderful! May G-d bless Mel, Sandy, Helena, Brenda, Lidija and Dymyr, Lois and Howard, Wela, Rebecca, Kim, Katia and Peter, Adrienne and Jerry, Fiona and Ken, Nadine, David and Doris, Monique, Mary Santangelo, Mary Chang, Silvana, and Denise. Many thanks for the patience and professional competence of Pierre-Yves Salvas, Notary Marie-Pierre Salvas, Rabbi Aubrey Glazer, and Dr. Florence Erdmann (Pierrefonds Animal Hospital). As professors, Leslie and Sam could see which high schools inflated grades and egos, and which provided a quality education. Many of their successful students graduated from West Island College.
Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., on Friday, January 31 at 1:00 p.m. Burial at the Shaare Zion Congregation Section, Eternal Gardens Cemetery, Beaconsfield. Shiva at 611 Kindersley Ave., T.M.R., from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. daily. Donations in her memory may be made to the “Leslie Cohen and Samuel Clement Convocation Prize in Creative Writing” c/o West Island College, (514) 683-4660 or wicmtl.ca/.
2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr Leslie Renee Clement 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Montreal, Province: Quebec