Naomi June Cartwright, school psychologist, loving grandmother
Naomi June Cartwright, 95, of Fort Collins, Colo., a strong and genuinely independent woman, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Born June 15, 1930, in Chicago, Ill., Naomi was active, energetic, and involved with family and friends until the day of her passing.
She was predeceased by her parents, Bertha (Panman) and Bertram Allman; stepmother, Rae Freeman Allman; husbands, Irwin Cohen and Walter Cartwright; a brother, Sheldon (Joan) Allman; and stepbrother, Alan (Carole) Cohen.
Naomi’s mother, Bertha died when she was young and her father remarried when she was 14. She attended Englewood High School in Chicago, and married Irwin Cohen at 19.
After the birth of her children Mike and Beth, and her separation and eventual divorce from Irwin, she was a working single parent who put herself through college.
After getting her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Chicago Teacher’s College, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Chicago public school system. She had a brief second marriage to Walter Cartwright.
In the early 1970s, after going back to school for a master of science in education and master of science in psychology from Chicago State College, she became a school psychologist.
Naomi enjoyed working with and mentoring students in less-fortunate neighborhoods than her own, particularly enjoying working with students at what she lovingly called “Juvenile Hall.”
She spent her entire career in the Chicago public school system, while guiding her own children to become strong, independent adults valuing the importance of education and giving back to society.
After retiring from the Chicago school system in the mid-1980s, she pursued a variety of activities, including work as a tour bus guide, leading tours from Chicago to Branson, Mo., and other places. She prepared income tax returns for low-income families and individuals, both for AARP and VITA, the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
In 2012, Naomi left Chicago and relocated to Fort Collins, Colo., to be near her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Naomi’s lifelong passions included playing bridge and keeping fit. She was a Life Master bridge player, playing bridge three times a week, as well as exercising with a personal trainer twice weekly until the week of her passing.
Naomi also had a flair for design, both in the clothing she wore and the various homes she decorated. She loved ocean cruises, enjoying traveling solo and especially enjoyed cruising on ships sponsoring bridge tournaments. She cruised to many continents and she took her children, their spouses, and all her grandchildren on an Alaskan cruise in honor of her 80th birthday.
Naomi is survived by her daughter, Rabbi Beth Cohen (Frances Sneider) of Lewes; son, Mike Cohen (Sheri Cohen) of Fort Collins, Colo.; grandsons, Jeffrey and Daniel Cohen; granddaughter-in-law, Darci Knapp Cohen; great-grandchildren, Austen, Oliver and Sawyer Cohen; nephews, Bruce Allman and Larry Cohen; and niece, Lori Grogan.
Per her wishes, and in lieu of a funeral, Naomi’s body was donated to science. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 15, at MacKenzie Place in Fort Collins, Colo.
In remembrance, donations may be made to Seaside Jewish Community, P.O. Box 1472, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, Community Resource Center, 37510 Oyster House Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, or Food Bank of Larimer County, 5706 Wright Drive, Loveland, CO 80538.
