October 9, 1925 – May 6, 2021
Dorothy Ann (Nee) Costello, age 95, of Reading, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on May 6, 2021.
Dorothy was born on October 9, 1925, in East Boston, MA; she was the cherished daughter of the late Thomas and Anne (Brophy) Nee. Dorothy was raised in the Jefferies Point neighborhood of East Boston and graduated from Fitton High School. Following graduation, Dorothy attended Katharine Gibbs School where she earned her secretarial certificate.
Dorothy met “the love of her life” Robert J. Costello and soon they were inseparable; they married on May 2, 1953. Bob and Dorothy settled in Reading in 1957 where they raised their four children, Robert, John, Richard and Mary Ellin. Dorothy’s family was her priority; she was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Dorothy and Bob, along with their family and friends shared many wonderful times together before his untimely passing in January of 1970. Dorothy’s family life became more enriched when she was blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the babies and took every opportunity to hold and cuddle all of them.
Dorothy loved the beach, and in her spare time, enjoyed vacationing at her home in Yarmouth. She also looked forward to watching the Red Sox play.
Following the passing of her husband, Dorothy went to work as an administrative assistant at Austin Prep School in Reading, where she could be close to her children if they needed her. She later worked at Recognition Equipment for many years before her retirement. Dorothy’s vast knowledge of her job along with her strong work ethic and endearing personality made her quite successful throughout the years.
Dorothy was a devout Catholic; she attended Mass regularly and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. Dorothy’s strong faith carried her through difficult times in her life.
Dorothy will be fondly remembered for her kind and caring ways, her strength and resilience in tough times and most of all for her love for her family. She was truly “one of a kind” and will be greatly missed by those who love her.
The Costello family would like to personally thank Jeannette and Viviane of ABC Homecare for the wonderful care they gave their mother.
Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Robert J. Costello, devoted mother of Robert Costello & his wife Andrea of Duxbury, John Costello & his wife Eileen of Tewksbury, Richard Costello of Lawrence and Mary Ellin Costello of Reading, loving “Nana” of Kaitlyn Banaszewski & her husband Todd, Maurice Costello & his wife Kristen, Aviva Gross & her husband Brad, Thomas Costello & his wife Amy, Margaret Costello, Daniel Costello & his wife Sarah, Bridget Costello and “Great-Great” of Lucy, Joseph, Peter, Jude, Madeleine, Andrew, Maria, Dominic, Shira, Genevieve, Rosalia, Landon, Molly, Carson and Francis, and dear mother-in-law of the late Sheila Costello, and sister of the late John Nee and Barbara Nee Einbrod. Dorothy is also survived by a loving niece and nephews.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral at Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rte. 62) Wilmington on Thursday, May 13th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow in Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading. Visiting hours will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 12th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Due to Covid regulations, masks are required in the Funeral Home and Church.
Memorial donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
