Marie Costa

Old Saybrook - Just as she marched as a majorette in the band and carried the statue of Blessed Mary ahead of the parade in her youth, Marie (Vincent) Costa passed away on March 3, 2015, and smiled her distinctly beautiful smile at what now lays ahead.

Born on Aug. 13, 1927, Marie grew up in Taunton, Mass., eldest child of the late Joseph and Hilda Vincent, and sister to Joseph T. Vincent and Richard Vincent and sister-in-law, Delores Vincent of Taunton.

She will be remembered with love and admiration by her family and the many close friends she made throughout her lifetime, including the "daily Mass ladies" of St. John's parish in Old Saybrook. She will also long be remembered for her amazing pies at family gatherings and for that steadfast commitment to "straightening up" the church after Mass at St. John's.

After earning her master's degree in education from Bridgewater State Teachers College, she married Antone Robert Costa of Dighton, Mass., who later taught at East Lyme High School, and headed across the country for the next 25 years, making sure that her Air Force family always experienced the comforts and security of home, even when home meant growing up in nine different states. She will be fondly remembered as a teacher and as a mother to son, David Costa and daughter-in-law, Barbara Costa, of Niantic, to daughter, Kathryn Higbee and son-in-law, James Higbee, of Baltimore, Md., to son, Dr. Michael Costa of Fredericksburg, Va., and to son, Tony Costa and daughter-in-law, Melissa Costa, of Silver Spring, Md. She will look back most devotedly at her grandchildren, Amanda Costa, Danielle Costa, Joanna Higbee, Elizabeth Higbee, Richard Costa, David Costa, Emily Costa, and great-granddaughter, Raleigh Loring.

For her grandchildren, she lovingly filled a large green cookie tin with endless batches of cookies, which surely will never be matched in taste. She was always the last to sit down at the table to eat as she tirelessly prepared the meals for many family get-togethers. Her grandchildren say they will never forget the many fun outings at the Ivoryton Playhouse, the M&Ms, the times she would warm their cold noses with fuzzy 1970s door knob covers, and "we would have never known the impact a red sweater could have on the rest of our lives. Thank you for being the most perfect grandma."

The family's heartfelt appreciation goes also to the wonderful Beacon Hospice program in Mystic, and to the awesome 3rd Floor nurses and caregivers of Bride Brook Health and Rehab.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015, in Taunton, Mass.