In memoriam

Long-time Concordian Leslie Renée (Clement) Cohen, BA 81, MA 84, PhD 93, passed away on January 28, 2020, in Montreal. She was 62. 

After she completed all three of her degrees at Concordia, Cohen joined the university’s psychology faculty in 1985. She soon met, and later wed, a fellow part-time instructor in the department, Samuel Clement. “I had a life that I never would have had if I hadn’t met Leslie,” says Clement (pictured above with Cohen). “She was curious, empathetic, principled, funny, nervy and she was always looking for things she could do for people.” 

Cohen taught hundreds of students over the course of her 17-year career and was well respected by members of the Concordia community. 

“Her teaching evaluations demonstrated her dedication to the well-being of her students,” says Jean-Roch Laurence, psychology professor and chair of the department from 2007 to 2013. “Year after year, her students reflected on the thoroughness of her teaching, her empathy and her commitment to their academic success.” 

Cohen also devoted herself to Concordia’s part-time faculty association, where she served on the executive and as vice-president of professional development and training. Throughout her tenure with the association from 1994 to 2011, Cohen helped establish university-wide seniority for a number of colleagues, which provided job security for part-time faculty. As a result, Cohen improved the professional fortunes of many at Concordia.

“I remember a person who worked selflessly, with honesty and integrity,” says Laurence. “A person whom I came to respect and admire for her dedication to the highest standards of teaching — not only for herself but for all of her colleagues.”