Oldest female veteran in California Bea Cohen celebrated for life of service

CULVER CITY, Calif. (KABC) -- A final farewell was held Monday for a woman believed to have been the oldest female veteran in California. Pfc. Bea Abrams Cohen was 105 when she passed away a week ago, leaving behind a powerful legacy of good deeds.

Cohen emigrated to the U.S. from Romania in the 1920s and was deeply grateful that America welcomed her family. To show her gratitude, she enlisted in the U.S. Army, even turning down a 5 cent an hour raise at Douglas Aircraft, where she had been working as a real-life Rosie the Riveter.

After the Vietnam War, Cohen realized how much support returning veterans needed and set out on a lifelong mission to help them.

"Ever since she became an American citizen, she continued giving back. Veterans were her passion, but being able to help others was her overriding goal in life," said Betsy Butler, the executive director of California Women's Law Center.

Besides her tireless work with veterans, Cohen also dedicated 35 years to the National Ladies Auxiliary of the Jewish War Veterans helping children with cerebral palsy.

"She was very compassionate, very driven and very real," said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Young, a long-time friend. "There was nothing superficial or phony about her."

Friends also called her spunky. At 102, she threw the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. In 2013, she fulfilled her dream of meeting First Lady Michelle Obama to thank her for helping veterans.

True to her legacy, Bea told Eyewitness News in January when she was honored for her service to the country: "Honor the veteran. Never forget him."