Monica Kazan

Monica Kazan, age 62, formerly of Hawthorne, NJ passed away in her home on February 24, 2026, in New Bern, NC. Monica was the victim of domestic violence and the person she let into her life tragically ended hers. She was born in Paterson at Barnert Hospital on November 29, 1963. She spent her early life in Prospect Park with her family, before moving to Hawthorne to start her Freshman year at Hawthorne High School, graduating in 1981.

In 2005 Monica moved down to New Bern, NC where she developed a close-knit circle of individuals and friends who shared the same passion and dedication to community service in the Coastal Carolina area. For over 12 years, she served as the Executive Director of Promise Place, a nationally accredited nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Promise Place provided crisis intervention, emergency shelter, court advocacy, counseling, and outreach services to Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties. Under Monica’s unwavering leadership, the organization strengthened its advocacy programs, supported survivors through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and became a vital resource within the Craven County court systems and community. And still her dedication to service did not stop there, working at Mount Mount Carmel Helps Inc. and serving as Chief of Staff at Religious Community Services (RCS), where she worked tirelessly to assist individuals facing houslessness and food insecurity. We choose to remember her not for the way she left this world, but for the powerful and positive impact she made while she was here.

But beyond her titles and accomplishments, Monica was a leader, and above all, a dear friend to so many. She loved her African gray parrot, Coby — companions known for their intelligence and long lifespan. She adored animals, plants, beautiful pens and planners, crafting, and spending time with her friends and family. She had a special love for kunafa, falafel, and other Middle Eastern sweets, and always found joy in the small, beautiful details of life. Monica didn’t just pass through people’s lives — she left a permanent imprint on their hearts.

Monica Kazan was the beloved daughter of the late Mazia and Aylustan Kazan. She is survived by her loving sister, Mae Kazan-Somma and brother-in-law Gerard Somma. She cherished her nephew Ezekiel, her nieces Jordan and Petra (predeceased), and her many cousins. While our lives feel incomplete without her in them, she will live on forever in our hearts.

Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Monica Kazan.