Christen Bishara

1975 - 2025

Christen Marie Bishara will be remembered by friends,family, and even acquaintances, as the mom, friend, and confidante who made it all look easy. To say that nothing phased her, not even staring down cancer and beating it back multiple times over more than two and half decades,; is an understatement. She did everything for others with cool-as-a cucumber aplomb; but never wanted to be even a slight burden.

Chris, as she was known, was born on Christmas Day 1975 in Kansas City, Missouri, where she attended and graduated from St. Teresa's Academy where she played volleyball, basketball and ran track. She later attended Loyola University of New Orleans on a full academic scholarship where she met and later married her husband Maged. For the next 15-years, while Chris taught at the esteemed all-boys Collegiate School, they lived in New York City's Upper West Side neighborhood and explored all the city had to offer as a family of five..

The Bishara family later moved to Richmond, Virginia where they quickly assembled a rich roster of friends and the boys thrived as standout student athletes at St. Christopher's School.

Besides Maged, Chris had two great loves in her life. The first and greatest source of joy was her three young boys. Her second source of pride was a gorgeous 19th century barn in the Catskill mountains of New York State, where she routinely hosted friends and family and treated them to arguably the most delicious meals anywhere. A five-course meal for dozens of people was seemingly effortless when created by Chris.

This was Chris the mom with a terrific sense of style who never missed a sports event or snack turn. The mom who somehow kept three typically rambunctious boys happy, focused, excelling at school work, sweet (but not angelic), and fiercely supportive of each other.

She made it all look easy and she wanted nothing in return, not even for best friends to worry about her or care for her as she heroically tackled illness.

Chris is survived by her loving husband Maged, sons Steven, 18, Adam, 15, and Nathan, 13; sister Kate Mossinghoof Bayhylle, husband Mark and sons Jackson, Logan and Tommy; sister Sara Mossinghoff Laird; brother Jonathan Mossinghoff; and mother Deborah Mossinghoff Paarman. Chris' father David Mossinghoff is deceased.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the December 5th Fund (https://www.december5th.org/), an organization that helps families take a day off from cancer.

A funeral service will be held at the St. Christopher's School Chapel, 711 St. Christopher's Road, Richmond, VA 23226, on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.