Phatiwe Cohen passed away on May 12, 2005 after complications due to ovarian cancer. Jennifer Lawinski, one of Phatiwe's closest friends, writes:
"Phatiwe was single and never married, but she did leave behind more friends than the funeral home fit and touched the lives of many people in the AIDS/HIV community in Boston. She worked for the state department of public health's HIV/AIDS bureau for five years, helping coordinate programs for those with the disease.
She was born in Botswana, and lived in Nigeria until she was seven. She and her father then moved to Boston, where she attended the Boston Latin School before coming to Dartmouth. She majored in both History and Government, and loved to laugh, play pool, and skip class.
After graduating, she returned to Boston and spent two years living with Jennifer Lawinski '99 and three with Vanessa Ferro '00. When she finally got her own place, she had only a few months to enjoy it before falling ill.
Phatiwe loved baseball, getting dressed up and cooking. She made amazing mashed potatos. In the end, she learned to lean on her friends and ask for hugs. She had an amazing smile, a warm spirit and a contagious sense of mischief."
Those wanted to remember Phatiwe are requested to celebrate her life and have a drink in her honour. Donations may be made to the South Africa Partners, Inc., c/o the Phatiwe Cohen Memorial Fund, 89 South St., Suite 401, Boston, MA 02111.