Birth date: Sep 9, 1931 Death date: Sep 24, 2015
Miriam S. “Mink” Cochran, 84, Ocala, Florida passed away on September 24, 2015 at her residence in Ocala, Florida under the care of family and staff of Marion County Hospice. Mrs. Cochran was born on September 9, 1931 in Wildwood, Read Obituary
Miriam literally "held down the Fort" at Fort Clarke Middle School all those years she worked there. She was the first person anyone calling the school spoke with. She knew our family members, recognized their voices, and would often send messages immediately to our classrooms depending on their importance.
On one occasion, my eldest, Lindsay called. I'd just finished teaching the one exploratory class as a counselor that I taught daily. I came to my office and found Miriam's note: "Lindsay needs you to put $400 in her account."
I walked over to Miriam and waving my note, asked, "What the heck does she need $400 for?" Miriam broke up laughing and replied, "She didn't say. I'm so sorry. I was so busy, Sally, I didn't have time to ask."
I walked back across the lobby and called Lindsay. This is when I found out Lindsay needed $4,000!!! She was just beginning her masters degree program and this was the cost. After recovering from the surprise of "the additional ZERO" and making some calls to arrange a loan, I went back to Miriam.
"Mir!!!! That girl needed FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS, not four HUNDRED!" Now that the shock of the amount had begun to wear off, we both howled with laughter at the missing zero on the original phone message.
For days after that, I would ask Miriam if she was missing anything. She would shake her head and laugh. That ZERO became a standing joke between us.
Miriam had a big heart and would often inquire after students she knew were troubled. On many occasions, she would point out a student to me or give me some helpful piece of information she'd gleaned in her conversations with parents at the front desk. Even when angry, rude folks would call the school and take it out on Miriam, she kept her cool. We missed her so much when she retired!
Wherever you are, Miriam, and I know you can hear me, I love you!!!!
What I Will Always Love About Miriam
She was a beauty at every age. Her eyes twinkled and her smile warmed the cockles of my Irish heart.
She was one of my confidants at Ft. Clarke. When I first fell in love with my husband Rick, I showed her a poem he wrote me, and she gave him her “approval.”
She loved to dance and told us stories of her first dances as a young woman at Eaton’s Beach Restaurant on Lake Weir—jazz bands a’playing.
She was a loving mother to her children, grand children, and great grand children.
She made me laugh out loud.
She was an elegant lady, with a touch of “Kick Butt” added.
She was a beach bunny…always.
She was fiercely independent.
Like the Queen, she could always “Stay Calm and Carry On.”
When my friends and I would visit to cheer her up because of her serious health
issues, we were the ones who left inspired and uplifted!
She showed me how to grow older with grace, humor, and courage.
She was the sunshine she so loved.
Corinne Keller
Miriam was the keep-the-place-going clerk and receptionist at Fort Clarke Middle School when I taught there. She had concern for all but also had high expectations.
Since Miriam started having some serious health concerns a few years ago, several Fort Clarke colleagues and I have periodically visited her. We would share our latest stories and then go out to eat. Once we brought lunch in, rather than tax her by expecting her to go out. She admonished us to never do that again. She always wanted to go out to eat and enjoy our company.
I will miss her can-do and party spirit.
With love,
Becky Guinagh
Miriam's obituary states, "She was a retired Clerk for the Alachua Count Schools." The word Clerk doesn't begin to describe Miriam's years at Fort Clarke Middle School.
Miriam was the first person folks met when they entered the front doors of the Fort. She was placed there because she had the ability to make each parent feel wonderful about their child's school. She was funny and genuinely charming with everyone she greeted.
Teacher's, staff, and administrators always knew who to go to with a problem or a situation to be solved. Miriam knew everyone in the school and everything that happened within those school walls. She was the glue that held us together.
For years Miriam acted as the school nurse. I often had children ask to go see Miriam because they didn't feel well. I sent them, knowing that they were really okay, but they just needed a break. They needed to lay on that cot and listen to Miriam's soft, Southern twang. I knew how those children felt because at the time of my divorce, I often found myself on that cot during my planning period. . . just waiting for Miram to say, "Zem, you're gonna be okay."
So, Miram was not a Clerk. She was the Heart and Soul of Fort Clarke Middle School. The Fort Clarke Faculty and Staff will hold Miriam in our hearts and memories forever!
Sara Zemlo
Fort Clarke Middle School
