Making (and Framing) Memories: Meet the Cohen Family
By Seth Stutman | Photography by Amy Crosby Photography
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors | August 2026
You might not know Jeff and Deb Cohen … but at the very least … you know of them. Deb has taught generations of Longmeadow youth at the Springfield Jewish Community Center. Jeff’s face - or at least a caricature version - has been a part of the Springfield skyline for decades - it’s the large, yellow Jeff’s Picture Framing sign on 91!
Jeff and Deb Cohen, now married for more than a half century, were both born in Longmeadow, and have raised their children here and seen their grandchildren grow up in the same schools they attended. Between Deb making memories with families and Jeff preserving them, the Cohen’s are another Longmeadow family who have roots nearly a century old right in these parts.
Self-described “townies,” they embrace the moniker as they recall their past in Longmeadow. “Both Jeff and I moved into town when we were children with our own families and we’ve never left,” said Deb. “We’ve been in our house on Brookwood Drive for 48 years and we have no plans to leave. Longmeadow is such a nice place for young families as well as us older folks.”
“Both of my children, Sam and Mimi, went right through LPS. The funny thing is that Jeff and I also went right through the public schools here in town. I’ll never forget going to my children’s high school open house and realizing that they had some of the same teachers that Jeff and I had.”
Deb recalls the twists that their courtship took in the 1960’s and 70’s. “I had a crush on Jeff while we both were attending LHS. I knew where his locker was, I knew his schedule, and I knew where he parked his yellow Camaro. He says that he noticed me too, but whenever he would say hi, I would be too shy and run away. That sounds about right, but then a few years later when I was a freshman in college at Framingham State College, Jeff and I were fixed up by a mutual cousin - Bob Cohen who also lives in Longmeadow.”
This month, the pair celebrate their 51st anniversary - and still very much enjoy spending time together. “One of our favorite memories is our very first date,” Deb says. “Jeff took me to a department store that was called Two Guys. We actually went to the store because Jeff needed to get film for his fancy camera. From there we went to A&W Root Beer. Not a fancy first date, but certainly one that we both enjoyed - we were both so young, Jeff 21, and I 19. We got married just a little over a year from then. We grew up together and it’s been a wonderful ride.”
A half century later, The Cohen family consists of Deb and Jeff, their two children, Sam, and Mimi along with my grandchildren, Logan, Jonah, and Levi.
After graduating from LHS in 1973, Deb studied Elementary Education at Westfield State College, Class of 1978. After college, Deb found her way back to town, marrying Jeff and beginning a family and career, at the Springfield JCC. Deb began as a teacher, and soon, she became the director, a title that she enjoyed for decades. In her role as director, she was able to both educate children and parents. Her teachings were part academic and part cultural, imparting Jewish wisdom and values in addition to academics.
“Working at the JCC Early Learning Center was the perfect combination of teaching children and parents. I can’t imagine not being around children,” she says. “Even now during my retirement I read to the children at the JCC, LYA, and a home daycare Darling Daycare in Enfield. I liken my volunteering with children as filling up my tank with the fuel to get through the week.”
Jeff Cohen was also born in Longmeadow and found his way back to raise a family, and carry on a family tradition in glass. Cohen learned the art of glass framing from both his father and his grandfather, who owned Sam’s Glass Works in Springfield, and later the Leonard Gallery next door on East Columbus Avenue. In 1998, Jeff opened his own space which he ran until his retirement just a few months ago after 27 successful years.
“Having my own business was very satisfying and rewarding. It was a lot of work but I always said when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,” reminisced Jeff. “I appreciated seeing all of the artwork that my customers brought in and I built relationships with many of them. Right now I am busy closing down the shop. I am looking forward to enjoying my bonsai plants. I also have an extensive collection of vinyl which I am looking forward to categorizing and listening to. Of course, I am looking forward to spending time with Debbie, my children, my grandchildren, and my three grand dogs.”
To Debbie, the decades passed quickly as she watched generations of children grow up at the Learning Center, at summer camp, and on the sports fields of Longmeadow. To see Debbie in the wild, at the local grocery store, she is somewhat of a cult hero. It seems that she has a connection to everyone, former parents, students or colleagues.
“I loved working in a small town where I would see the children and parents out and about enjoying themselves,” Deb says. “Even now I have grown children and parents stop me, especially at the Big Y. We share our memories and I love hearing about all the success stories. The children are definitely taller but still have their sweet faces.”
Now both in retirement, Jeff and Deb aren’t really slowing down, just able to focus more on what they enjoy doing. Jeff is able to putter and enjoy hobbies like bonsai, collecting vinyl records and lava lamps - and he is able to get more accomplished on Deb’s “Honey-Do-List.”
“I volunteer three days a week to read to children at the J, the Yeshiva, and a wonderful home daycare in Enfield,” said Deb.
While Jeff and Deb enjoy traveling, they consider themselves homebodies - even though that often takes them outside their home on walks, or to meet up with friends and check up on neighbors.
“Jeff and I love Longmeadow - always have and always will. We have the best neighbors in town. We love to take walks and see how the neighborhood has grown. There’s so many families here with young children and dogs. I carry dog biscuits in my pocket for the dogs and smiles for all the children.”
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