Monique COHEN Obituary

Monique's family and NZ friends announce with deep regret, her death in Washington DC on 27 February, 2026 at the age of 81.
Monique was born in Wellington to Joseph (Sef) and Jenny Block, who arrived as refugees from Europe in 1940. They were prominent members of Wellington's Jewish community and established a successful costume jewellery business. Monique was educated at Wellington Girls College and later at Victoria University, where she gained an honours degree in geography. She left NZ to study at McGill University in Canada and in 1978 gained a PhD in economic Geography from Clark University, USA. During her field work for her doctorate she visited parts of Africa and in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, met and in 1970 married Lewis Cohen, a Peace Corps volunteer. After their marriage she accompanied Lewis in his US diplomatic career in London and Tunis. They then made their home in Washington DC where Monique worked for USAID and Lewis became a trade consultant. Monique, an expert in micro finance and much involved in promoting financial literacy, later established her own company Micro Finance Consulting.
Monique was a strong personality, a dedicated feminist and loyal friend. She was known for her hospitality, in particular to NZ friends. Her health declined in recent years due to neurological issues which she resisted tenaciously. She leaves her husband Lewis, her son and daughter-in-law Jules and Emily, her daughter Nicole, four grandchildren and her sister Beatrice and her family, to mourn her departure. Messages for the family may be sent to [email protected]