Obituary

Virginia Theresa Cowan, daughter of the late Dominick and Anna Tortorella, passed away on August 25th, peacefully at home in Grant City, Staten Island surrounded by family at the age of 74. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend is survived by her husband of 50 years Edward W. Cowan Jr., sister Ann Tortorella, daughters Bernadette Brozek and Christine Cowan, son Joseph Cowan, son-in-law Nicholas Brozek, daughter-in-law Karan Cowan, grandsons Salvatore and Lorenzo Brozek, eight nieces and nephews, and six great nieces and nephews. Born in the Bronx on February 21, 1949, Virginia grew up in Washington Heights before moving to Staten Island when she married. Virginia graduated Suma Cum Laude from SUNY New Paltz before receiving her Masters degree from Rutgers University. Virginia taught elementary school at Incarnation School in Manhattan and Our Lady Queen of Peace in Staten Island. Virginia established The Parish Parenting Center at St. Charles Church, the Mothers and Babies Circle, the Rainbow Program for all God’s Children and facilitated training sessions for the program’s future personnel. After retiring from teaching, Virginia spent her time traveling with friends and family, socializing with her neighbors over cups of tea, telling jokes and stories, and doing her most favorite activity, cherishing her two grandsons. Often found with either a book or a word search in hand, Virginia always enjoyed learning about new topics and expanding her knowledge.

The funeral services will be held at Hanley Funeral Home on Tuesday August 29th at 9:00 AM followed by a 10:30 AM Mass at St. Charles Church. Burial services will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations are made to the VNS Health Hospital Care – vnshealth.salsalabs.org