Annette Cowan Monachino

Annette Cowan Monachino, a former longtime resident of Pelham Manor, passed away peacefully on January 9, after bravely facing several health challenges. She was 83.

Known for her warmth and positivity, Annette Romayne Cowan was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Paul R. and Anna B. Cowan (nee Toth) on August 26, 1942. Anna died tragically, following an illness, when Annette was in fourth grade. To Annette’s good fortune, her father later married Jean MacDonald Davis, a local math teacher, whose passion for learning and kind nature shaped Annette’s approach to life.

An avid reader and excellent student, Annette graduated from Clairton High School and earned a B.A. in History from Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1964. At Wilson, she forged great friendships and served as Chief Justice of the college’s student Honor Council. During her junior year, she met the dashing Jeffrey Monachino on a blind date. The two connected instantly and were married on November 27, 1965.

Annette worked in the Admissions Office at Wilson College and later at Aeroquip Corporation before pausing her career to raise her family with Jeff. Annette loved spending time with her family and embraced the cohesive community she found in Pelham, New York, Jeff’s hometown. Annette resumed work outside the home as a preschool teacher at Weekday Nursery School. She then became an extraordinary elementary library teacher for twenty years and was beloved by scores of Pelham students at Colonial and Siwanoy Elementary Schools. Annette participated in the Pelham PTAs and held leadership roles in the Junior League of Pelham, the Manor Club, and the International Garden Club (now the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum). She was also active in the New York Athletic Club community and at Huguenot Memorial Church.

Annette will be remembered for her elegance and incredible graciousness. Known throughout Pelham and beyond, she honestly remembered everyone she had ever met, and always responded to greetings by saying, "I'm excellent, thank you, how are you?" Her inner strength, breadth of knowledge and sense of humor made her a sought after confidant and friend.

Family was Annette’s priority and her greatest source of pride. She and Jeff remained happily married until his death in 2024, and she is survived by her two devoted daughters, Jennifer Monachino Lapey of Pelham Manor and Lisa DeGirolami of Leesburg, Virginia; sons-in-law John (Ian) Lapey and Marc DeGirolami; and adoring grandchildren Paul and Catherine Lapey and Thomas DeGirolami. Her brother Paul Cowan of Okemos, Michigan and her brother-in-law Reginald Monachino of Cave Creek, Arizona also survive, along with countless friends, whom she considered to be family.

The family will receive visitors at the Pelham Funeral Home, 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham, New York 10803 on Sunday, January 18 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pelham Preservation and Garden Society.