Chrissy E. Cowan

Chrissy Elise Cowan of Staten Island passed away on March 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 60 years old.

Born on April 30, 1965 in New York to John Mazzola and Andre (Lisette) Sweek, Chrissy spent her early years in Florida, New York with her beloved Grandma Mazzola before moving to Brooklyn. She graduated from Fort Hamilton High School and later completed the Strategic Steps for Growth program at NYU/Stern. In 1991, she married the love of her life, Philip Cowan. Together they raised two children, Joseph and Danielle, who became the center of their world.

A dynamic leader in the business community, Chrissy served as President and CEO of North American DF, Inc., a Staten Island printing and promotional company, before bringing her expertise to Inkwell Global Marketing in Manalapan, New Jersey. Her talent for helping companies build distinctive brands earned her major clients including AXA Financial, Pepsi Cola, the Super Bowl Host Committee, Scholastic, Con Edison, National Grid, MTA, and Northfield Bank. She was equally passionate about mentoring young entrepreneurs and fostering new talent, drawing on nearly three decades of experience. A dedicated advocate for women and minorities, she spearheaded mentoring programs at the College of Staten Island, St. John’s University, and Wagner College, served on the Domestic Violence Task Force, and supported numerous charitable efforts, including the “Back to Basics Program” for Hurricane Sandy relief. She sat on the boards of the Joe Mandarino Foundation, Seaman’s Foundation, and Have a Heart Foundation, and was actively involved with the Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Her many honors included being named a 2014 Knights of Columbus Woman of the Year, recipient of the 2013 Have a Heart Award, the 2013 Staten Island Economic Development Corporation Women of Influence Award, the 2012 SIEDC Leadership Award, and the 2012 Italian Tribune Woman of the Year Award.

Chrissy’s generous spirit defined her. From 2021 to 2023 she led efforts with Project Hospitality to provide warm clothing for the homeless and later organized collections of cereal and bread for food pantries, ensuring 252 families had fresh bread on their tables for Lent last year. She lived by the belief that helping one person succeed meant she had succeeded. A woman of deep faith, she found strength in prayer, Padre Pio, and her saints and angels, facing every challenge with her mantra of patience, positivity, and prayer.

She is remembered for her bright smile, exuberant personality, and open heart that turned every stranger into a friend. Chrissy cherished the outdoors, riding horses as a girl, and peaceful summers at the family cabin by the Delaware River. She loved to travel, enjoyed disco music, and took great joy in preparing her annual Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. No one ever left her table without a bag of leftovers, her lasagna, cauliflower croquettes, and rice balls a tangible expression of her love. Above all, she adored her family. Her husband Philip was her steadfast hero, by her side through every storm. Her children Joseph and Danielle were the heartbeat of her life, and she was a second mother to countless of their friends. The birth of her first grandson, Francis Patrick Cowan, last year brought her profound joy as she finally became Nonna.

Chrissy is survived by her husband Philip, her children Joseph (Colleen) Cowan and Danielle Cowan, her grandson Francis Patrick Cowan, her nephew Jay Cowan, and her great-niece Oni.