Elaine Costello, 78, beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Friend died from complications from pneumonia on August 16, 2020, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Santa Fe, NM. She was born on May 23, 1942, in Daisytown, PA, and was the daughter of the late Anthony and Helen Stetcko. Elaine was raised in Richeyville, PA and graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from California University of PA, and a M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Utah. After meeting her husband Michael in Salt Lake City, Utah, the couple married in 1967 and moved to Belle Vernon, PA. Elaine returned to her alma mater, California University of PA (CUP) in 1967 as the first woman faculty member of the Chemistry Department. She spent her entire 37 year career teaching what she loved most – chemistry. Although she taught many disciplines of chemistry, her particular favorites were nursing chemistry and general chemistry, where she was most passionate to share her childlike wonder of the field with new students. She tutored numerous students, family, and friends throughout the years, and was an avid volunteer at her daughters’ elementary school, St. Sebastian’s, providing advanced mathematics lessons and chemistry demonstrations to the students. She was an active member of St. Sebastian’s Roman Catholic Church in Belle Vernon, PA, playing the organ for over 13 years and leading the Children’s Choir for much of that time.
After the passing of her husband in 2002 and her retirement from CUP in 2004 (with emeritus status), she spent her time building puzzles and reading British mysteries and loved all things nautical. Her greatest pleasure was visiting her daughters, Bridget (Utah) and Alison (New Mexico), and traveling with them around the world. In 2016, she moved from her long-time home in Belle Vernon to Los Alamos, NM to be closer to her daughters and their families, and in particular her beloved grandchildren, Jack Michael Pappas and Cassandra Leslie Pugmire. In January 2019, she survived a near-fatal infection that claimed her right leg, but allowed her to live with her daughter Alison, son-in-law David, and granddaughter Cassandra. Her vigor for life never ceased, as she exercised daily and worked towards walking on a prosthetic. She cherished the time she had watching her grandchildren grow and sharing her love of life, science, and learning with them. She lived her life with the motto, “Live each day with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.”
She is survived by her daughters and their families: Bridget (Costello) Pappas, Anthony Pappas, and Jack Michael Pappas of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Alison (Costello) Pugmire, David Pugmire, and Cassandra Pugmire of Los Alamos, NM. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Edward Vavrick, McKeesport, PA; nephew Ryan Vavrick and family of Bridgeport, WV; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Greg and Caroline Costello and Patrick and Patti Costello of Salt Lake City, Utah; sister-in-law Joyce Lamb of Las Vegas, NV, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Michael A. Costello.
Final arrangements in New Mexico are entrusted to Rivera Family Funeral Home, Los Alamos, NM. Due to COVID travel restrictions, a memorial service will be held at a later date in conjunction with Parzynski Funeral Home in Belle Vernon, PA, when her daughters and their families can return to Belle Vernon and unite Elaine with her late husband Michael in the Belle Vernon Cemetery.
About |
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Name | Elaine Costello |
Date of Birth | May 23rd, 1942 |
Date of Death | August 16th, 2020 |
Home Town | Belle Vernon, PA, US |
Religious Views | Catholicism |
Interests | Puzzles, Games, Ships, Ireland, Traveling, Chemistry, Toys |
Favourite Saying | “Live each day with a smile on your face and a song in your heart.” |
Memorial |
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Funeral Home | Rivera Family Funeral Home - Los Alamos | |
Cemetery | Belle Vernon Cemetery | |
Address |
176 Tranquillity Lane Belle Vernon PA 15012 United States |
Family |
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Significant Other | Michael Augustine Costello |
Siblings | Patricia Vavrick |
Parents | Anthony Stetcko, Helen Alice Stetcko |
Children | Alison Leslie Pugmire, Bridget Lee Pappas |
Grand-Parents | Helen Kuckuc, John J. Timko |
Milestones |
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1962 - 1965 | California University of PA, B.S. | ||
1966 - 1967 | University of Utah, M.S. | ||
1967 | Marriage | ||
1967 - 2004 | College Professor, California University of PA | ||
2004 | Retired | ||
2016 | Moved to NM |
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published a tribute .
Dearest Alison, My heart is so sad to hear about the loss of your Momma. I know you loved having her close to you, may you treasure her memory. May God grant your family peace and His healing love surround you during this difficult time.
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Thank you so very much. Bridget and I are heartbroken at the loss of our best friend.
published a comment .
Alison and Family, my deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom. I was also very saddened to here of her passing. She was quite the Lady and she made an impression on me. Nothing can replace Mom, but know that our hearts and prayers are with you.
published a comment .
My dear friend, Bridget,
You must be going through so much in losing one of the brightest lights in your life. I know your mom was that to you and I will always remember her for the gift of music that she shared with you and you with me. I hope you are able to take comfort in how much she and your family is loved in the difficult days ahead.
Blessings,
Amy
published a comment .
My dearest Alison,Dave and Cassandra, I know you lost your best friend but, she is in a better place now no more suffering or struggles. "Blessed and those that lose a loved one for the lord comforts them." You will always have many wonderful memories and stories. God Bless your entire family during this difficult time.
published a comment .
Elaine was a dear friend of many years. I witnessed her marriage to Michael in PA many years ago and have kept in touch. She was thoughtful, kind and generous. Just several weeks ago I had a nice conversation with her via phone. She was always positive, upbeat and loved her children and grandchildren dearly. May she rest in peace and enjoy her new life of heaven with Michael and family who have headed for the eternal kingdom years ago.
My love to Bridget and Alison. Msgr. Fitzgerald
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published a tribute .
Bridget and Alison,
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. She was so special in her own right, and lives on through the both of you. We hope you find comfort in memories and peace in time. Our thoughts are with your family.
The Cocciolone Family (Carol, Marissa, & AJ)
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published a comment .
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