Mary Elizabeth Costello

Costello, Mary Elizabeth NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. Mary Elizabeth Costello, 87, of New Hartford, died on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Miss Costello was born in Utica, N.Y. on October 7, 1920, the daughter of the late Thomas S. Costello and Margaret Daily Costello. She graduated from Utica Catholic Academy and received her B.S. degree in 1942 from St. Joseph's College, Emmetsburg, Md. In 1954, she received her master's degree in social work from the National Catholic School of Social Work, Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. Miss Costello held a number of positions in teaching and social work. In 1988, she retired from her position as senior program specialist, Family and Children Services for the State of New York in Albany. Other positions in social work included supervisor of Rome Catholic Charities, supervisor of intake at the Oneida County Dept of Social Services, assistant executive director of the Utica Community Chest and Planning Council, supervisor of Syracuse Catholic Charities, and child care specialist in Syracuse and Albany for the NY State Department of Social Services. Before entering social work, Miss Costello taught for two years at Mt. St. Agnes Junior College in Baltimore, Md. She received a special certificate of recognition for her wartime contribution as instructor of U.S. cadet nurses. In 1963, she received the Notre Dame High School Award for her work in community service projects and her community leadership in social work. When she returned to Utica in 1988, she became involved with recording oral histories of local residents through MVCC's senior program. She was a member of the Oneida County Historical Society. Miss Costello was also active in various volunteer programs. From 1994 to 1996, she was president of the guild of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, and was currently its publicity chair. She was on the board of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center Foundation and a former member of the board of directors of the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing. In 1996, she received the Eleanor Nelson Award for her dedication and service to the Guild of St. Elizabeth Medical Center. She was a former member of the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Oneida and Madison Counties. She was a charter member and on the board of the Marian Club of Notre Dame High School, raising funds to provide scholarships for needy students, and serving as head of publicity for the club. She was a lifelong member and past president of the Utica International Federation of Catholic Alumni, and a member of the National Association of Social Workers. She was on the board of directors and vice president of the Catholic Women's Club. Miss Costello was a lifelong parishioner of Historic Old St. John's Church where she was a Eucharistic minister and a member of the ladies' guild. She actively served on fund drives for the church and for the diocese. She also attended daily Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford, and often served as a lector. Miss Costello was also active in Syracuse and Albany parishes when she resided in those cities. She was a member of the parish council at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, and was a Eucharistic minister at Christ the King Catholic Church in Guilderland. She is survived by her nephew, Thomas M. Costello, and his wife Michele Gadbow Costello; great-nephews, Thomas G. and Sean M. Costello, and great-nieces, Kenna A. and Elizabeth A. Costello. She was predeceased by her brother, Thomas D., and sister-in-law, Jeanne M. Costello. She was devoted to her family, sharing many wonderful times with them at their homes and on vacations at Fourth Lake, Saratoga, and Cape Cod. An avid boater, she owned and moored a boat at Clark's in Eagle Bay for more than 30 years. She enjoyed taking watercolor classes at Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute's School of Art, and had several paintings displayed during the museum's summer festival. She was a supporter of the Utica Chamber Music Society. The family extends many thanks to the staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Faxton Acute Rehabilitation Center, and Hospice for their support and gentle caring in Mary Elizabeth's last weeks. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at Nunn & McGrath Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd., Utica. Funeral services will be Thursday at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home and 10:00 a.m. from Historic Old St. John's Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Contributions can be made to St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, Historic Old St. John's Church or the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Messages of sympathy at www.nunnandmcgrath.com