Janet Rogene Fredrick Costello

COSTELLO, JANET ROGENE FREDRICK, April 12, 1928 - Jan. 16, 2004 An Orlando "Native Daughter" was affectionately known as Ormond Beach's "First Mother" until her death Friday. Mrs. Costello, 75, resident of Orlando, died after spending several happy weeks with her family at the home of her son Fredrick W. Costello, Mayor of Ormond Beach. She was a caring teacher, talented organist, and community volunteer who for more than fifteen years was a survivor of breast cancer, but now her family celebrates that "Janet's with Jesus!" Janet was always most concerned with how she could help and serve others and was worried that she not be a bother or inconvenience to anyone even to her death. She is survived by her older brother Harlow G. (Bud) Fredrick, Jr. and his wife Faith of Orlando, by her brother-in- law Roger J. Costello of Manassas Park, Virginia, whom she considered as a brother, by her son Fredrick W. Costello, D.D.S. and his wife Linda of Ormond Beach, and by her daughter Ruth Rogene Costello Armstrong of Orlando. She had three grandchildren: Angela Fe Costello Pender, Lucas Jacob Costello and his wife Michelle Elliott, Eric David Costello; and also three great grand children: Skylar Pender and Austin and Miranda Costello, all of Ormond Beach. Perhaps 9 year old Austin said it best when asked what the family should say about his Great Grandma: "She was real nice and she loved God! I love her." Who could ask for more? She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Julian Costello, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, to whom she had been married 32 years at the time of his death in 1981. She was also predeceased by her parents Harlow G. Fredrick, Sr. and Doris Anderson Fredrick, and her two older sisters Jane Audentia and Doris Elizabeth (Bettye) Kuhnert. Janet Costello's greatest passion in life was giving-she gave her whole self in service to others. She gave cheerfully both of her limited time and funds. As the primary trustee for the Lancaster/Stuart Charitable Foundation, she gave generously to dozens of her favorite non-profit organizations. She was also known and respected in her community for arranging support from other donors, and she delighted in giving her own money away. It pleased her greatly when she found opportunities to be an anonymous donor. Janet knew "What Would Jesus Do?" and her actions were the answers to that question. She was a life long example of living life as a servant minister. While rationing her energies in later years, she offered her talents to all. Whether as a respected volunteer or as a paid professional musician, she especially enjoyed accompanying her daughter playing the flute. Even after her retirement, she remained an active member of many educational and cultural organizations, including the American Guild of Organists (Central Florida Chapter, Past Dean), the Daughters of the American Revolution (Orlando Chapter, Past Regent), The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, and Kappa Delta Pi (international honor society in education). Her absence will be felt by wonderful people across the globe who have met and known her through these and many other organizations. Between 1989 and 1995 Janet produced a series of music recitals known as "Sundays at Three." Janet had conceived the series as a way to share her church's pipe organ (1989 McCain & Dickinson) with the community. She knew many young local professionals who would appreciate the opportunity to present a recital on a pipe organ, and she knew that audiences would appreciate their artistry. Educated as a child by her loving family through Orlando's public schools, Janet went on to become a room mother and PTA president and then a teacher. She especially enjoyed the year spent teaching second grade at Princeton Elementary School while both of her children attended there. Mrs. Costello earned degrees from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa (AA, 1947), University of Florida (BA, 1962) and Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida (MAT, 1967). Janet established and maintained her homestead at the same College Park/Orlando home where she began married life with her husband after their honeymoon in 1949. The Copeland Park/Orlando home where Janet began tenth grade is also still in the family, and her daughter lives there now. As proud as she was of her son's chosen City of Ormond Beach, she believed as her father did that "It's Great to Live in Orlando." Janet Costello could be distinguished in many ways. Perhaps the most unique, is that she was the only member of the Bach Festival Choir to have sung under all of its first six conductors. A member until her death, she was looking forward to the 69th Bach Festival next month. Her mother and older sister joined the Choir as charter members, but young Janet joined in 1947 when she enrolled as a music student at Rollins College. She met her husband in the Chapel Choir and they were married in Knowles Memorial Chapel on the Rollins campus. When "Orlando Magazine" published an issue emphasizing music in Orlando, the article about the Bach Festival Choir would feature her ("The Bach Girl") and include her photograph. Her children have followed many of their parents' footsteps. Fredrick practices as a dentist and is active in many professional associations, including being President of the Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry concurrent with serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Ormond Beach. Fred's wife Linda recently served as the Co-Chairman for the Florida Hospital Memorial Division "Coastal Gala" fundraiser for hospice and nursing scholarships. Ruth Rogene is a professional teacher and librarian; while offering her professional energy as a third generation volunteer chorister in the Bach Festival Choir, she serves Orange County as an employee in the offices of its Environmental Protection Division. There will be a memorial service held at the Community of Christ church, 1006 Clay Street, Winter Park at 3PM on Sunday February 1, 2004, telephone 407-644-2395. The Bach Festival Choir is planning a memorial concert to honor Janet that will be held at a later date. Friends are invited to and welcome to attend both. Should you choose to make any memorial donation, Janet would encourage you to make one to either Florida Hospital Memorial HospiceCare, 770 W. Granada Blvd., Ste 319, Ormond Beach, FL 32174 (or the hospice in your area), or to the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, Rollins College, 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789-4499. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Ormond Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be sent via the family guestbook www.ormondfuneralhome.com.