Title:Lives Well Lived

Lives Well Lived honors a few alumni who have recently passed away. We share with you these portraits of alumni who have made an indelible impact living day to day as people for others. Memories collected by Patti North.

You can find a more complete list at alumni.georgetown.edu/in-memoriam.

Stephanie Leifer (C’90)

New Jersey native Stephanie Leifer, 56, passed away June 28, 2024, from cancer. She worked for ABC for 30 years. As senior vice president of comedy development, she played a pivotal role in shaping some of television’s most popular shows, including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Scandal,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Ugly Betty,” and “black•ish.”

As a court-appointed special advocate with CASA of Los Angeles, she dedicated her time to working on behalf of foster children.

She is survived by her husband, Jonathan Bluman, their children, Amelia and Noah, and her sister, Michelle (C’93). “When I started at Georgetown as a freshman, Stephanie was a senior,” Michelle recalled. “She made everything easier— guiding me with her wisdom, encouraging me when I needed it most, and showing me how to face life with confidence. She had a way of making everyone around her feel valued. Her connection to Georgetown was something she carried with her throughout her life. As an alumna, she stayed involved, interviewing prospective students and giving back to a community she cared about so deeply.”

Sherman Cohn (SFS’54, L’57, L’60)

Sherman “Sherm” Cohn, the longest-serving member of the Georgetown faculty, died last year at age 92. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, to immigrant parents from Eastern Europe, he was the first in his family to attend college.

A summa cum laude SFS graduate, Professor Cohn enrolled at the Law Center and served as the managing editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. After graduating in 1957 as class valedictorian, he clerked for Judge Charles Fahy (L’14, HON’42) on the U.S. Court of Appeals, DC Circuit. He followed that by seven years at the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, while also completing an LL.M at Georgetown Law.

Joining the faculty in 1965, Professor Cohn taught civil procedure, Jewish law, and alternative and complementary medicine law. He authored numerous articles from “The Legal Status and Problems of the American Abroad” to “Medical Acupuncture: The Legal Environment as Practiced by the Physician.”

Professor Cohn founded the Continuing Legal Education Program and its Appellate Litigation Clinic, while serving as Chair of the Law Annual Fund, and later the University Alumni Fund. He was also a member of the Board of Governors and received the John Carroll Award in 1980.

Professor Cohn is survived by five children, three of whom are Georgetown alumni: Steven Cohn (SFS’87), Ronald Cohn (L’84), Jerald Cohn (L’85), Leah Guihen, and Joshua Cohn, as well as partner Gail Kauffman. Two daughters-in-law, Vanessa Cohn (L86), and Robin Cohn (L’85) are also Law Center alumni. “Dad was remarkable and unique as a father and as a person,” the family shares. “He taught us all how to laugh, how to love, and how to live. His children and many grandchildren will carry his values with us throughout our lives. We miss him every day.”

Friends and family of Professor Cohn are raising funds to dedicate a space in his name in the new academic building to be constructed on the Law Center campus. To make a memorial gift in his honor, please contact Melissa Slaughter, Director of Donor Relations at ms5280@georgetown.edu

Anthony Joseph Allen Sr. (C’90)

Anthony Allen, 57, passed away at his home in Maryland. He played high school basketball in Texas, winning two state championships, leading to his being recruited by coach John Thompson Jr. He attended Georgetown, graduating in 1990. Despite knee and ankle injuries, he scored 221 points over his college career.

After playing on a U.S. exhibition team in France, he returned to Georgetown in 1994, joining GUPD as a campus police officer and eventually rising to the position of master police officer.

While at GUPD, Anthony also completed his graduate studies in divinity and became assistant pastor at Mount Horeb Baptist Church in Washington, DC.

He is survived by his wife, Laura, and his children, Aniyah, Anthony Jr., Ava, and Aiden, who shared the following: “Rooted in faith and driven by purpose, our father exemplified a life dedicated to service, knowledge, and community. As a proud member of Georgetown’s men’s basketball legacy and a steadfast servant to its community for over 30 years, he embodied the GU mission—glorifying God and uplifting humanity through wisdom, compassion, and the power of God’s Word.”