Regina F. Costello (Madden)
Regina F. Costello, 91, of Holland, passed away Thursday, January 6, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Francis J. Costello, who passed away in 1975.
Born August 30, 1930 in Marlboro, MA, she was a daughter of the late Daniel F. and Mary M. (McAuliffe) Madden.
Regina was the fifth of seven children and a graduate of St. Michael’s Academy in Hudson Massachusetts. After high school, she moved on to St. Vincent Hospital School of Radiology, in Worcester, Massachusetts. She completed the Radiology Technician program. In 1953, Regina met the love of her life, Francis J. Costello. Francis was from East Falls, Philadelphia and had just returned from serving in Korea. They met at the Notre Dame vs University of Pennsylvania football game at Franklin Field. They were married on February 19, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Church in Marlboro, Massachusetts.
Regina and Frank began their married life in Trenton, New Jersey. After the birth of their first child, they moved to Levittown, Pennsylvania. Her early married years were focused on raising a family, surrounded by wonderful neighbors and friends, while enriching her life through her strong Catholic faith and her connection to the Queen of the Universe Parish. In 1964 as her family grew in size, they moved to a larger house on Forsythia Drive South. In subsequent years, Regina thoroughly enjoyed attending the many educational, athletic, and social pursuits of her eight children.
In 1975, at the age of 45, Regina tragically suffered the sudden death of her husband, Francis. Her strength, courage, and resilience were never more evident than during those years following his death. With a strong reliance on her Catholic faith and the support of her extended family, she moved forward with great resolve. She earned an associates degree in social work from Bucks County Community College. Shortly thereafter, along with her best friend and sister, Alice Donnalley, she completed the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at Princeton Hospital in Princeton, New Jersey.
Most of her work life was spent caring for the elderly, the incarcerated, and the infirmed. She enjoyed several years living and working in Ocala, Florida with her beloved sisters, Alice and Irene, before returning to her Bucks County roots. Upon returning, she continued her nursing career at several facilities including, Chandler Hall, St. Joseph’s Manor and D'Youville Manor. Retirement provided many opportunities to pursue her passions which included reading, traveling, and attending her twenty grandchildrens’ academic, athletic and social events. Throughout these years, her faith remained paramount in her life. Regina also became a Eucharistic Minister at St Andrew parish in Newtown, Pennsylvania, attended daily mass, and was an enthusiastic member of the parish prayer group where she developed and maintained many friendships. At the age of eighty, she was a volunteer for the Parish H.O.P.E program, taking the elderly to doctors appointments ( REALLY!).
Our Mom lived an exemplary life, devoted to her family, faith and social justice issues. Her strength, courage and wisdom provided a guide to her children, who admired her greatly, loved her dearly, and will miss her terribly.
Survivors include eight children, Mary Fisher (Joe) of Langhorne, Frank Costello (Sheila) of Newtown, Eileen Milko (John) of Doylestown, Kevin Costello of Bermuda, Patrick Costello (Lynda) of Abington, Anne Jackson (Bob) of Richboro, Kay Mosso (Dave) of Naples, FL, and Maureen Oliveri (Marc) of Lancaster; 20 grandchildren, Joe, Patrick, Molly, Kerry, John, Dan, Jack, Matt, Tom, Mike, Caroline, Patrick, Grace, Julie, Caitlin, Moira, Monica, Marc, Gina, and Dominick; three great-grandchildren, Noelle, Camila, and Nadine; her sister-in-law, Katherine Madden and most devoted sister, Alice Donnalley.
She was preceded in death by five siblings, Marie Galanis, Irene Manning, Rose Crowley, Kathleen Stewart, and Daniel Madden.
Her family is very grateful for the kindness and support of her current friends and neighbors.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family from 9:00 to 10:00 am on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, with the funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 81 Swamp Road, Newtown. Interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.
Contributions in Regina’s name can be made to the Mother of Mercy House, https://motherofmercyhouse.org/get-involved , or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, https://www.cff.org/ .
Morning Visitation
Thursday, January 13th, 2022
9:00 AM - 10:00 AMJoseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, Richboro
800 Newtown-Richboro Road
Richboro, PA 18954Service
Thursday, January 13th, 2022
11:00 AMSt. Andrew Catholic Church
81 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940Cemetery
Thursday, January 13th, 2022
Resurrection Cemetery
5201 Hulmeville Rd.
Bensalem, PA 19020