Dr. Deborah Cogan

DANVERS – Dr. Deborah Cogan, age 70, passed away peacefully on May 25 at Seasons of Danvers. Deborah is survived by her loving husband, Jeffrey Thomsen of Danvers. Her family is grateful for the kind and devoted team of nurses and health professionals who filled Deborah’s last years with dancing, laughter, and fun even in the midst of a difficult decline.

Born in Queens, NY, Deborah was the daughter of the late Lillian Rosenkrantz Cominsky and Morton Cominsky. From a young age, Deborah directed her drive and passion to create a better world for animals. At only 17, she set off to Cornell University where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. She specialized in veterinary internal medicine, completing her residency at Tufts Veterinary Emergency Hospital before serving as a veterinarian at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston for a decade. She opened her own practice, the Boston North Dog and Cat Hospital, which she operated in Peabody for 24 years.

Deborah loved playing Chopin on her baby grand piano, singing with the Paul Madore Chorale, frying up the most golden latkes on the North Shore, and beating anyone who made the mistake to challenge her in Scrabble. However, animals always came first. Caring for animals was Deborah’s great purpose and calling. If Deborah got a call in the middle of the night to care for an animal in distress, she hopped in her trusty Subaru with no questions asked. She kept leashes and collars in the back of the car and rescued many dozens of animals who had no home. Once, Deborah even hopped a rusty fence during a hurricane to save an abandoned, chained dog with no thought for her own safety. She empowered pet owners to care for their pets, guiding families through difficult medical situations with compassion and kindness.

In addition to her husband, Jeff, with whom she enjoyed over 30 years of marriage, Deborah is survived by her stepdaughters, Margaret Katsumi and her husband, Yasushi, of Wenham and Kristin Enck and her husband, Corey, of Washington, DC. She deeply loved her grandchildren, Oscar Katsumi, Beatrix Enck, Sidney Enck, and Rosemary Katsumi. In addition to her father and beloved mother, Deborah was predeceased by her brother, Perryn Cominsky. Her family will miss her spirit, sense of humor, and love that she brought to all around her during her time on this earth.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours which will be held at O’Donnell Cremations - Funerals - Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Wednesday, June 3 from 6 to 8 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Deborah’s memory may be made to support animal welfare through Farm Sanctuary (https://www.farmsanctuary.org) or MSPCA Angell (https://www.mspca.org). To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.