Collection inventory

Summary
Creator:	Cohen Family.
Title:	Theodora Cohen Family Papers
Dates:	1975-2010
Size:	13.5 linear feet
Abstract:	Materials related to Theodora Cohen, one of the Syracuse University students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, and her parents, Daniel and Susan Cohen
Language:	English
Repository:	Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives, Syracuse University Libraries

Biography

Theodora "Theo" Cohen (1968-1988) was among the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. She was a junior at Syracuse University, studying Drama in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Theo studied abroad during fall semester 1988 at the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMBDA) through Syracuse University's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). She took every theater course she could and went to the theater twice a week in London. Theo also traveled to Greece, Scotland, the Netherlands, and France. She had plans with Miriam Wolfe, another Pan Am 103 victim, and other Syracuse University friends, to start an alternative theater group when they returned to campus.

Theo was born on September 10, 1968 and was the only child of Daniel and Susan Cohen of Port Jervis, New York. She was passionate about acting and singing. Theo's acting career began in the fourth grade, when she received the lead role in a class play. After discovering her life's calling, she dedicated herself to it, acting in every high school, university, and community production available. In high school, Theo performed in productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Gypsy. From her freshman year in high school until 1988, she worked in summer stock at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, New York. She started as an apprentice at Mac-Haydn Theatre and in summer 1988, she played the leading role in their production of The Fantasticks. At Syracuse University, she acted in A Midsummer Night's Dream and numerous other plays. Theo's soprano singing voice and her charismatic acting were only two of her many talents.

She was bright and articulate and her parents described her as "loving and mean, logical and hysterical, cynical and enthusiastic." After Theo's death, Susan and Daniel united with other families of victims to create the Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc., an organization devoted to ensuring similar acts of terrorism were prevented. Both writers, Susan and Daniel Cohen have written extensively about Theo, the Pan Am 103 tragedy, and terrorism. Their works include numerous short articles, as well as a book and contributions to journals. They co-authored Pan Am 103: The Bombing, the Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice and both wrote a chapter "Voice: Theo Was on Pan Am 103" for The Trauma of Terrorism: Sharing Knowledge and Shared Care, An International Handbook by Yael Danieli, Danny Brom, and Joe Sills. This book was co-published as The Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Volume 9, Numbers 1/2 and 3/4 in 2004 and Volume 10, Numbers 1/2 and 3/4 in 2005.

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Scope and Content Note

The Theodora Cohen Family Papers contains information and materials related to Theodora "Theo" Cohen, one of 35 Syracuse University students killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 while studying abroad through the university's Division of International Programs Abroad (DIPA). The collection is divided into the following series:

Audiovisual materials includes recordings of Theo singing and performing, a remembrance compilation for a memorial service honoring her, and interviews with Daniel and Susan Cohen.

Clippings includes articles from newspapers and magazines that the Cohen family collected regarding the Pan Am 103 bombing, Libya, other terrorist attacks, Theo Cohen, other Pan Am 103 victims, Lockerbie, and memorials.

Correspondence is divided into two subseries. The first subseries includes condolences and other letters to and from Susan and Daniel Cohen. Correspondents include President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, U.S. and international government figures, reporters, and media executives. The second subseries consists of the correspondence of Others regarding the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster. It includes correspondence of presidents, U.S. government officials, and reporters and media executives.

Manuscripts is divided into two subseries. The first subseries contains writings by Susan and Daniel Cohen, such as various draft manuscript versions of their co-authored book Pan Am 103: The Bombing, the Betrayals, and a Bereaved Family's Search for Justice. Also included are longer written drafts of articles and responses to articles related to the Pan Am 103 bombing. The second subseries contains partial and complete writings by Others related to Pan Am Flight 103, the Lockerbie trial, and terrorism.

Memorials contains materials related to services and memorials in Port Jervis, New York; Lockerbie, Scotland; Syracuse University; and Arlington National Cemetery honoring Theo Cohen and the other victims of the Pan Am 103 tragedy.

Personal effects is divided into two subseries. The first subseries contains materials related to Theodora Cohen and includes playbills, clippings, and photographs of productions she acted in during high school and college, as well as her voter registration card. It also includes letters about scholarship awards, promotional information and documents about DIPA, and posthumous honors in her memory, such as a New York State Legislative Resolution and a Syracuse University Certificate of Student Achievement. The second subseries contains materials owned by or related to Susan and Daniel Cohen. Their Lockerbie trial ID cards, notes regarding Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster, Pan Am 103 pins, and Susan's planner are included. Information regarding the Estate of Theodora Cohen is also included in this subseries.

Photographs is divided into two subseries. The first subseries, Theodora Cohen, includes two photographs of Theo Cohen and Lauren Henry in costume for Halloween. The second subseries, Other, includes photographs of the Peace Time Memorial Plaque at Our Lady of Fatima Assembly, which honors Americans who died in terrorist attacks between 1983 and 1988.

Subject files is divided into two subseries: Organizations and individuals, which contains publications, correspondence, information, and promotional materials related to the Pan Am 103 bombing; and Government and trial, which contains trial transcripts, government resolutions, correspondence with the law firm Kreindler and Kreindler, as well as statements and petitions delivered during the trial.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Some of Theo's personal effects and selected correspondence of Daniel and Susan Cohen are restricted at the donors' request. Restricted materials are noted in the inventory below. Please contact the archivist for further information regarding access to these materials.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from the Pan Am Flight 103 Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Related Material

The Pan Am Flight 103 Archives contains additional materials and information related to the Theodora Cohen Family Papers. Related collections include:

Matthew Cox Papers

On Eagles' Wings Collection

Pan Am Flight 103 Audiovisual Collection

Pan Am Flight 103 Publications Collection

Pan Am 103 Individuals Collection

Malcolm Ingram Papers

Remembrance Quilt Collection

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Selected Search Terms

Names

Associated Titles

Subjects

Types of material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Theodora Cohen Family Papers,
Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of Daniel and Susan Cohen between 2004 and 2014.

Processing Information

Materials were placed in acid-free folders and archival boxes.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: Vanessa L. St.Oegger-Menn and Jenna Bossert
Date: March 2015
Revision history: December 2016 - Inventory added, contents refoldered, organized and processed collection (JNB); May 2023 - 2 folders added to Box 20; finding aid updated (HVA); June 2023 - Media processed and added as Box 27, inventory updated, linear footage recalculated (VSOM)

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Arrangement

Materials are arranged alphabetically. Exceptions were made for manuscript drafts, which are arranged chronologically.

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Inventory

	Audiovisual materials
Box 27		"Dialogue", Susan and Dan Cohen 19 January 1992 (Audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_003)
Box 27		Diane Rehm Show: Interview with Susan and Daniel Cohen 2 August 2000 (Audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_007)
			Previous location RG 103
Box 27		"In Fond Remembrance": Theodora E. Cohen memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis, NY, by Rev. Richard Avery 29 December 1988 (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_001)
Box 27		"Lost along the Way", song lyrics by Jon Stone undated (Audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_002)
Box 27		Syracuse University Shaw Dormitory 4th Floor in Thornden Park singing (Theodora Cohen) 1987 - accompanied by a letter to Mr. & Mrs. Cohen (VHS; running time 120:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_009)
Box 27		Theodora Cohen: National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) performance 9 April 1988 (Audio cassette; running time 60:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_006)
Box 27		[untitled] undated (Audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_005)
Box 27		WFAS-AM: Dan and Susan Cohen 11 April 1989 (Audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_008)
			Previous location RG 103
Box 27		WNYC: Pan Am Flight 103 undated (Audio cassette; running time 90:00) (ID#: pa103_cohen_te_004)

	Clippings
Box 6		Broadcast transcripts 1989-2000
Box 2		Clippings by date 1988-1989 (7 folders)
Box 3		Clippings by date 1990-1992 (8 folders)
Box 4		Clippings by date 1993-1996 (8 folders)
Box 5		Clippings by date 1997-2001 (7 folders)
Box 6		Clippings by date 2002-2005, undated (4 folders)
Box 6		Libya 1990-1995
Box 6		Pan Am 103: the bombing, the betrayals, and a bereaved family's search for justice 2000-2001
Box 6		Written by Daniel and Susan Cohen 1988-2001

	Correspondence
		Others
Box 13			Air incident research 1993-1994
Box 13			Bush, George H.W. 1989-1992
Box 13			Clinton, Bill 1993-1998
Box 13			Families of Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie victims 1988-2002 (2 folders)
Box 13			Family and friends 1989
Box 13			International government officials 1994-2003
Box 13			Kennedy, Edward 1992-1998
Box 13			Reporters and media executives 1989-2000
Box 13			United States Department of Justice 1990 1996-2003
Box 13			United States Department of State 1989-2002
Box 13			United States governmental officials 1989-1999
Box 13			Various 1989-2003 (2 folders)
		Susan and Daniel Cohen
Box 9			Ambassadors to foreign embassies and the European Union 1994-2000
Box 12			Beirut remembered 1994
Box 10			Bush, George H. W. 1989-1991
Box 11			Bush, George W. 2004
Box 12			Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 1991-1992
Box 10			Clinton, Bill 1992-1999
Box 10			Clinton administration 1992-2000
			Condolences
Box 1				Condolences by date December 1988 (4 folders)
Box 7				Condolences by date December 1988 (3 folders)
Box 7				Condolences by date January 1989 (2 folders)
Box 8				Condolences by date January 1989 (2 folders)
Box 8				Condolences by date February-August 1989
Box 8				Condolences by date circa 1988-1989
Box 8				Condolences by date 1990
Box 9				Families of Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie victims 1989-1990
Box 8				Floral tributes 1988
Box 8				Government officials 1988
Box 8				Hadassah condolences and tributes 1988-1990
Box 8				Mass enrollment 1988
Box 9				Mass enrollment 1988
Box 9				Port Jervis community tributes 1989
Box 9				Religious tributes 1988
Box 9				Schools 1988-1990 (2 folders)
Box 9				Syracuse University and community 1988-1990 (2 folders)
Box 9				Trees for Israel tributes 1988-1989
Box 12			Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal's Office 1990-1991
Box 12			Department of the Army 1995
Box 12			Families of Pan Am flight 103/Lockerbie victims 1989-2002
Box 10			Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 1991-1996
Box 10			Frankovich, Allan 1993-1994
Box 26			General 1994-2000 (4 folders)
				RESTRICTED: These materials are restricted at the donor's request and may not be viewed, cited, or reproduced.
Box 10			Holiday cards 1988
Box 12			Incoming - various 1989-2004, undated (7 folders)
Box 10			International government officials 1990-2002
Box 12			Kennedy, Edward 1994-2002
Box 10			Kreindler and Kreindler 1989-2004
Box 11			Letters to the editor 1992-1998
Box 12			Lockerbie Air Disaster Appeal Fund 1989
Box 12			Lord Advocate's chambers 2000
Box 12			Metropolitan Life Insurance Company 1992
Box 11			Outgoing - various 1989-2003 (2 folders)
Box 12			Port Jervis community 1989
Box 10			Reporters and media executives 1989-2004, 2010 (3 folders)
Box 11			Reporters and media executives 1989-2004, 2010
Box 9			Smith, Bruce 1989, 1995
Box 12			Syracuse University community 1989-1993, 2003-2004
Box 11			United States Department of Justice and the Office of Victims of Crime (OVC) 1989-2003
Box 11			United States Department of State 1989-2004
Box 11			United States government officials 1989-2002 (2 folders)
Box 11			United States Mission and Libyan Mission to the United Nations 1992-1999
Box 11			Weiss, Fredda 1989

	Manuscripts
		Others
Box 16			Alikhani, Hossein, book jacket for In the claw of the eagle 1995
Box 16			Bar-Illan, David, "Milton Viorst: the master of the double standard," With friends like these: the Jewish critics of Israel 1993
Box 16			Chomsky, Noam and Edward Herman, excerpt from Letters from Lexington: reflections on propaganda 1993
Box 16			Coleman, Lester, and Donald Goddard, afterword for Trail of the octopus from Beirut to Lockerbie: inside the DIA 1996
Box 17			Davis, Stephen, excerpt from Apartheid's rebels 1987
Box 17			Geffner, Robert, PhD, "The trauma of terrorism: sharing knowledge and shared care, an international handbook," Journal of aggression, maltreatment and trauma, Vol. 9, Numbers 1/2 2004
Box 17			Goddard, Donald, book jacket and title page for The insider, and book jacket for Trail of the octopus from Beirut to Lockerbie: inside the DIA 1992-1993
Box 17			Gowland-Debbas, Vera, "The relationship between the International Court of Justice and the Security Council in light of the Lockerbie case," The American journal of international law, Vol. 88, No. 4 1994
Box 17			Herman, Edward and Gerry O'Sullivan, excerpt from The terrorism industry 1989
Box 17			Hudson, Paul S., "The crime victim and the criminal justice system: time for a change", Pepperdine law review, Vol. 11, No. 5 1984
Box 17			Kash, Douglas, Esq., "Libyan involvement and legal obligations in connection with the bombing of Pan Am flight 103," Studies in conflict and terrorism, Vol. 17 1994
Box 17			Katz, Samuel M., Israel versus Jibril: the thirty year war against a master terrorist 1993
Box 17			Katzman, Kenneth, "Terrorism: Middle Eastern groups and state sponsors, 1999," Congressional Research Service (CRS) report for Congress, The Library of Congress 1999
Box 17			Leppard, David, On the trail of terror 1991
Box 17			Middle East insider special report, "Pan Am 103: autopsy of a coverup," S.R. number 2 March 1990
Box 17			Salinger, Pierre, P.S., a memoir 1995
Box 17			Schuler, G. Henry M., "A policy for breaking the Libyan-American stalemate," Center for Strategic and International Studies April 15, 1994
Box 17			Smith, Ellen M., "Winter solstice and the white birds" December 22-23, 1988
Box 17			Speer, Laurel, Cookies 1999
		Susan and Daniel Cohen
Box 16			"The Europeans are having a stroke" 1996
Box 16			"Lockerbie families speak," The nation 2001 - Draft response article to Cockburn piece
			Pan Am 103: the bombing, the betrayals, and a bereaved family's search for justice
Box 14				Justice denied 2000 - Initial draft, partial manuscript (2 folders)
Box 14				First draft 2000 (2 folders)
Box 14				First draft 2000 - Loose pages and edits
Box 14				Copy edited draft 2000 (2 folders)
Box 14				NAL promotional sampler and content February 25, 2000
Box 15				Draft April 4, 2000 (3 folders)
Box 15				Draft April 4, 2000 - Loose pages and edits
Box 15				Copy edit draft April 6, 2000 (2 folders)
Box 15				Folio Graphics, Inc. manuscript April 7, 2000 (2 folders)
Box 16				Draft April 13, 2000 (2 folders)
Box 16				Copy edit draft April 14, 2000 (2 folders)
Box 16			"Pan Am 103 and Libya, coincidences and contradictions" 1990-1991
Box 16			Reflection on civil suits and default judgment 1997
Box 16			Reflection on Clinton administration response to Pan Am flight 103 circa 1993-2000
Box 16			Reflection on Hafez Assad circa 1990-2000
Box 16			Reflection on sixth anniversary of Pan Am flight 103 1994
Box 16			"Two cheers" 1995 - Unpublished reflection on civil suits

	Memorials
Box 17		"Dark elegy" 1994-1996
Box 17		Dedication of the memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery 1995
Box 17		Flower tribute at St. Alfred's Episcopal Church, Palm Harbor, Florida 1989
Box 17		Lockerbie memorial service - first anniversary 1989
Box 17		Memorial service for Theodora Cohen 1988
Box 17		Memorial service at First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis 1989
Box 17		Memorial vigil at Lafayette Park, Washington, DC April 3, 1989
Box 17		Memorial night at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, Chatham, New York June 3, 1989
Box 17		No Greater Love candlelight ceremonies at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, DC 1989-1993
Box 17		Remembrance Scholar convocation packet and sketch 1989
Box 18		Syracuse University memorial book for Theodora Cohen 1989
Box 18		Syracuse University memorial services 1989-1990
Box 18		Tenth anniversary memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery 1998
Box 18		"The day of the longest night" memorial service at St. George's Episcopal Church, New York City 1989

	Personal effects
		Susan and Daniel Cohen
Box 18			Estate of Theodora Cohen 1989-1991
Box 18			Lockerbie trial ID cards and Lockerbie trial families project information 2000-2001
Box 18			New American standard new testament, old testament prophecy edition 1975
Box 18			Notes regarding Pan Am flight 103 1992-2000
Box 20			Pan Am flight 103 pins 1989
Box 18			Susan Cohen's planner 2004
		Theodora Cohen
Box 18			College documents, activities, and productions 1986-1988
Box 18			High school productions 1984-1986
Box 6			New York State legislative resolution honoring the memory of Theodora Cohen February 7, 1989
Box 19			Personal effects returned from Lockerbie, Scotland 1988
				RESTRICTED: These materials are restricted at the donor's request and may not be viewed, cited, or reproduced.
Box 18			Syracuse University certificate of student achievement 1988
Box 18			Syracuse University DIPA documents and information 1988
Box 18			Voter registration card 1986

	Photographs
		Other
Box 20			Peace time memorial plaque at Our Lady of Fatima assembly 1989
		Theodora Cohen
Box 20			Theodora Cohen and Lauren Henry on Halloween circa 1986-1988

	Subject files
		Government and trial documents
Box 21			General January 1989-December 1991 (8 folders)
Box 22			General January 1992-December 1992 (5 folders)
Box 23			General 1993-1995 (7 folders)
Box 24			General 1996-1999 (6 folders)
Box 25			General 1999-2003, undated (9 folders)
FC 2-3			Resolution no. 222 of 2009, Resolution of Orange County, New York legislature opposition to release of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi 2009
		Organizations and individuals
Box 20			Beirut connection 1991
Box 20			Coleman, Lester 1995-1997
Box 20			International Association of Ultrarunners 1989
Box 20			Justice for Pan Am 103 1995-1999
Box 20			Libya Sanctions Review Committee 1997
Box 20			Lockerbie Air Disaster Trust 1989-1991
Box 20			Lockerbie Friendship Group 1989
Box 20			National Center for Victims of Crime 2000
Box 20			Simon Wiesenthal Center 1987-1990
Box 20			Terrorism watch: Pan Am Flight 103 1997
Box 20			UK Families Flight 103 1991-2004
Box 20			United States Mission to the United Nations 1998

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