M. Christine Cowles

Maryjane Christine Cowles (nee Palihnich) passed away peacefully surrounded by those she loved the most on June 14, 2026 after a short illness. Christine was a woman who lived 92 years with style, intelligence, elegance, faith and love for her family and friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Symon, who passed away in 2025.

Born in November 1933, in Union City NJ. The daughter of Nicholas and Lucille Palihnich Christine’s family moved not long after her birth to New Orleans Louisiana then back to Glen Ridge, NJ and then settled in West Orange, NJ. Soon Christine’s brother, Nicholas, was born and joined the family that included her elder sisters, Patricia (Barnes) and Gloria (Farrell). She came of age during World War II and the years that followed. It was a generation shaped by sacrifice, hard work, resilience, and an appreciation for things that should not be taken for granted. Those were the values she lived by.

Christine attended school in West Orange, NJ up to high school then completed her high school years at Oak Knoll - a private Catholic Girls School. In her high school years Christine was starting to pursue the idea of acting, but her parents encouraged her to pursue nursing as a career.

She attended Georgetown School of Nursing and became a surgical nurse. She genuinely loved her days at Georgetown and started her nursing career immediately after graduating.

It was at Georgetown that Christine’s Roman Catholic faith was nurtured by the Jesuit priests there. Her faith was a constant throughout her life and an important part of who she was. Later in life she was proud to be a devoted parishioner at St. Ignatius of Loyola in NYC where her funeral mass will be held.

Her love of travel also started at that time, so she chose to begin her career with a position in San Francisco. Christine was not in San Francisco for long when she then decided to settle back in New York City. It was while working in a doctor’s office in Manhattan that she met Symon Cowles who at the time was starting his career as an executive in television and entertainment.

They fell in love, were married in 1958 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and began a partnership that lasted 67 years. Together they built a life that took them to Florida, Washington, D.C., and Manhattan before finally settling in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, where they raised their children Stephen and Lisa. Christine and Symon also expanded their family over the years to include six wonderful four- legged family members. Their dachshunds were cherished and truly considered family. They included: Bubby, Bonnie, Rocky, Happy, Winnie and Buddy.

From the start, Christine loved the entertainment world. Her favorites were classic movies from the 1930s to the 1960’s. She was a devoted viewer of movies on tv and went to movie theaters as often as possible. Though she was an avid movie watcher, her true love (besides her family) was Frank Sinatra. She knew every song, every arrangement, and every lyric of his songs. She attended many of his concerts over the years. Towards the end listening to his music became a huge comfort. In fact, her dog, Winnie, was named after her favorite Sinatra song, “Summer Wind.”

As Christine’s family grew up, she decided to commit her talents, creativity, and energy into volunteer work. Her volunteer “career” spanned many years starting with her spear-heading the creation of the Madelyn Gardner Library at her children’s grammar school. After that, she became a leader in the Montclair NJ Historical Society and the Montclair Garden Club. From the Garden Club she expanded her love of gardening and even more so, flower design. She competed in floral design and won quite a few awards including multiple first place awards. Her volunteerism also included work as the Chairman of the High Hopes program, which aided older adults in Essex County, New Jersey.

In the early 1980’s, The Cowles realized a true dream in being able to have a second home in Sea Girt, NJ. “The Shore” had always been a big part of Christine’s early life with her family. The shore house was enjoyed by many family and friends. Christine loved entertaining there. Every get-together or meal were treated as an event and guests truly felt special. At the shore, Christine and Symon also found a new interest in the sport of Croquet and enjoyed playing and competing through the Green Gables Croquet Club in Spring Lake, NJ.

Christine and Symon’s children began their careers in the early 1980’s. They proudly followed similar career paths to their father. Stephen is a copywriter and has worked at multiple top ad agencies. Lisa directed Corporate Events at A&E Television Networks for her career.

Throughout their life together, Christine and Symon enjoyed traveling quite a bit. They enjoyed trips throughout the US. They enjoyed exploring Hawaii, the Caribbean Islands, Paris Rome, London, Vienna, Venice, and others. But of all their travels they treasured their multiple visits to Caneel Bay Resort in St. John, US Virgin Islands the most and celebrated their 50th anniversary with their family there.

She continued to volunteer in Montclair until her children had grown up and then Sy and Chris decided to realize another longtime wish to move back to NYC. There, Christine joined The City Gardens Club of New York. She cared deeply about preserving history, cultivating beauty, and strengthening her communities. She chaired multiple committees for House Tours and other major events for the Garden Club. She became President in 2013 One member referred to her work for the club as “transformational,” and Christine referred to her time as President as one of the most fulfilling experiences of her life. She retired as President of the City Gardens Club in 2016 but continued working in an Emeritus role through the end of her life.

The Cowles family expanded again in 1996 with Stephen’s marriage to Victoria Garbuz. Then, in1999 and 2002 Christine and Symon were ecstatic to become grandparents to Stephen and Vicki’s children, Emma and Ava. They cherished their granddaughters. Christine and Symon were particularly proud of Emma and Ava’s career choices as they are pursuing careers in medicine (Emma) and law (Ava).

From that point on, Christine and Symon relished their time living in the city and all its great restaurants, museums, theaters, parks, and the new friends they made there. Mostly though, they treasured time with their grandchildren and children.

Visitation will be held at Walter B. Cooke Funeral Home, 352 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128, US, on June 22, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a brief memorial service at 4:30 pm.

A Funeral Service will be held at Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Ave, New York, NY 10028, US, on June 23, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.