Sister Rita Costello H.M.

My dear cousin, Rita, has always been close to my heart. She came from Ohio to California to be with our family, in her capacity as "Hospice Nun", to comfort her "Aunt Francis" [Frances Marion Tropeano Vitz] as my mother approached her death. Rita made those sad and solemn days much lighter with her kindness, compassion, humor and undying faith.

Sister Rita was no stranger to death as she helped so many others find their way through difficult times. Now, at the anniversary...

I just today learned of Sister Rita's passing. I adored her... she was a member of my extended family. Bright, funny, clever, loving and giving. I remember clearly one day we were all at a family Sunday dinner... She came dressed in a lovely plain black sheath dress and beautiful new shoes which she announced were her "nun pumps"... May she rest well.
Judy Rosen
San Diego
11/1/19

Dear Monica and Maria,

I am sorry that I have not written sooner. I seem to have lost both your addresses. I know you miss Rita very much and so do I.

Cousin Rita was always the same: full of love, happy, funny and surprising. It is hard to imagine family gatherings without her. I last saw her at Richard's 75th birthday party and she surprised me again with her description of President Trump, "He is a very spiritual man."
It will take me a long time to process...

Just finding out tonight of your passing my dear friend. I had a feeling something was not quite right as I had called a couple times in the past month and got no answer and no return call. I called earlier today and the phone had been disconnected. I stopped by her neighbors to inquire tonight and then got a message from him later with your obituary. We spent so many days over seven years as our neighbor spending time with you and you adored our little girls Ayva and Delilah. You will be...

A beautiful free spirit! She always helped me to put things in perspective. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and thanks for all the laughter.

There is no one like our Rita!

Sis Rita was my teacher at Erieview she had such a passion for her students and you could see the love in her eyes. Rest In Peace my love ( she would always call her student my love) God loves you more. My prayers are with the family.

RIP Sister Rita Costello .....You were a kind and loving Person ...a sweet lady ....and one of the best teachers I had ever had at Erieview Catholic high school ...you will always be remembered ....you thought us how to be the women we our today ....you will be missed ..... you are now a angel up in Heaven .......wish I could pay my respects to you ....but I have no way to get there ....but I always remember you.......glad to have had you as one of my teachers ......... It

RIP Sister Rita Costello .....You were a kind and loving Person ...a sweet lady ....and one of the best teachers I had ever had at Erieview Catholic high school ...you will always be remembered ....you thought us how to be the women we our today ....you will be missed ..... you are now a angel up in Heaven .......wish I could pay my respects to you ....but I have no way to get there ....but I always remember you.......glad to have had you as one of my teachers .........