Barbara Bisgyer Cohn, 92, died June 8th 2025, at her home in Portland, Oregon.
Born June 7th, 1933 in New York City to parents Betsy Vogel and Edgar Peierls. She grew up with her sister Emily, mother, and stepfather Charles Evans in Greenwich, Connecticut and attended Sarah Lawrence College. She married Melvin Bisgyer and had three daughters, Marcia, Ann, and Susan. After her divorce, Barbara moved to the Upper East Side of Manhattan and began working in an advertising agency. She began doing sculpture in bronze as a hobby, won many awards and was soon represented by Environment Gallery in NYC. She married Eric Cohn and moved to Rye, NY, the blended family included his sons Andy and Lee.
Continuing her name Barbara Bisgyer for art, her sculpture style evolved to capture motion, such as fisherman throwing out a net or a girl twirling to create a flared skirt. Some of her work can be found in museums, including the Smithsonian. She was featured in a 1980 New York Magazine cover article headlined, “The Great Maid Robberies,” for tracking a group of maids stealing millions of dollars in jewelry. She interviewed dozens of victims and then set up a trap house to capture fingerprints and photos. Her work led to the arrest and conviction of the jewel thief ring.
In retirement, Barbara moved to Portland, Oregon where her daughters Ann and Sue had settled.
Survivors: daughters Marcia Bisgyer (Albert Avallone), Philadelphia; and Susan Bisgyer (Carol Blenning), Portland; stepsons Andrew Cohn (Virginia), Long Beach, CA; and Lee Cameron (Lee Cunningham) Paris, France; son-in-law John Wolz, Portland; grandchildren Philip Avallone (Catherine Martin), Harri Avallone (Jake Wilson), Drew Cohn, Elizabeth Cohn-Salleh (Ibrahim Brian Peierls); and give great-grandchildren.
Preceded in death by husband Eric M Cohn and daughter Ann Bisgyer Wolz.
Donations may be sent to the Mirabella Foundation employee hardship fund.
