Corinne Cohan Travis

Corinne Travis was born Frances Corinne Cohan on October 11, 1924, to Joseph and Mary Cohan In New York City. The family moved to Bethesda, Maryland where Corinne attended the Sacred Heart Academy. After graduating with honors in 1942, Corinne attended Rosary College just outside of Chicago. She was a Speech and Drama major and participated in many performances while there.

She also danced professionally as a “Rocksiette” while in college and beyond. After graduating from Rosary (now Dominican University), in 1946, Corinne headed to New York to follow her passion and fulfill her dream of becoming an actress. Following her time in NYC, Corinne moved back to Bethesda, MD where she worked for the radio station WTOP. While there she saw an ad placed by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith for “women college graduates" and was hired as a stockbroker/account executive where she stayed until the early 1970s. She also met her husband of 55 years, John Travis during this time. 

Corinne Cohan married John Mckarsie Travis on September 1, 1956, in Bethesda, MD. They eventually moved to the Rosemont/DelRay section of Alexandria to raise their son and daughter and remained there for almost 50 years. After a short stint at the Alexandria Port Packet newspaper, Corinne returned to Merrill Lynch until her eventual retirement in the early 2000s.

A devout Catholic, Corinne devoted many years to charitable activities involving the Church. Before and during her retirement, Corinne spent countless volunteer hours with myriad social justice activities including Meals on Wheels, The Carpenter Shelter, and a Literacy Project with the Alexandria City Public Schools. All the while continuing her passion for dance with the “Silver Slippers.”

Corinne was considered a saint by most who knew her and was known to help out neighbors and friends or anyone in need. When dementia took her mind, her beautiful soul and smile always shown through.

Corinne is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John. She is survived by her son Mark A. Travis, her daughter Monica Romig (Steve), and her three beautiful granddaughters Caitlin, Tara, and Alison Romig, and a dear cousin Richard Cohen.

Because Corinne donated to numerous charities over the years, especially those associated with the houseless and children, we are asking that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in her memory or to Capital Caring Health in Falls Church, VA.

A Mass in celebration of her life will be held at the Basilica of St. Mary, 310 S Royal St., Alexandria, VA 22314 at 10 am on Tuesday, March 30. Due to COVID, the church is making a Zoom option available as well. You can view the service here: https://vimeo.com/530305858/c7ff43fe85

A private burial will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.