Mary Beth Cochran

Mary Beth Cochran, 57, of Willow Grove peacefully passed away on August 3, 2023, at Garden Spring Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she had lived for 10 years. She will be lovingly missed by friends and family.

Mary Beth was born to James (Jim) Cochran and Margaret (Peggy) Cochran in Meadowbrook at Holy Redeemer Hospital. Her birth weight was only 1 pound 10 ounces, so she spent 100 days in an incubator before she could go home at 5 pounds 3 ounces. Since she was a miracle baby, the nurses suggested she be named Mary Beth after a previous low-weight preemie with that name that survived.

There were many challenges in Mary Beth’s life. She had medical and developmental behavior difficulties but tried to continue leading the best life she could. She graduated from Hatboro-Horsham High School and lived with her parents in Hatboro for many years. For a while, she was able to live on her own across the street from the Willow Grove Mall, which allowed her to enjoy many days shopping and eating at the food court and visiting friends and the other patrons. She loved her ability to take the bus to events in the city for the flower show, car show, and ball games. She loved being around people and loved her family. She loved sports and entertainment: the Phillies, the Eagles, Michael Jackson, Tiger Woods, Brady Bunch, all movies but horror and many of the older TV classics. She also took the bus to the Bingo Hall often, played the most cards that would fit on her table and had a record of winning a lot. She was always good at numbers. When playing games with dice, she would say the total before you could finish counting. Mary Beth was a very loving and kind person who always thought of others. She volunteered at the Rehab Center before she had to be admitted herself later. Her duties included helping disabled people play games, mainly bingo. I watched her help a man with so many disabilities he had to lay on his wheelchair, couldn’t control his hands and couldn’t speak. Mary Beth understood everything he wanted, and they were always laughing with big smiles. That is one picture moment missed.

Mary Beth was predeceased by her mother and father. She is survived by her sister Conni Cochran Larson, her brother Robert (Rob) Cochran, his wife Ronnie Braithwaite Cochran, two nieces Sara Cochran Baumgardner (Eric) and Alison Cochran Hill (Travis), one nephew Scott Cochran (Lindsey), one grand-nephew Mikey Baumgardner, three grand-nieces Maggie Baumgardner, Rory Cochran and Sadie Rae Hill, two loving aunts, Audrey Reboul and Kathleen Cochran Zimbicki, and many cousins: Felix (Mickey), Paula, Garvin, Ann, Matthew, Beth, Amy, Mark, Michael, Laurie and David. Other special people in her life were Laura and Jim DeHope, Donna Gibbs Epple, and Dina Buno.

There will be no service at this time. Memorial contributions can be made to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): NAMI Montgomery County, PA, 100 W. Main St Ste 204, Lansdale, PA 19446, 215-361-7784.

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