SALEM – Miss. Mary A. Costello, 82 of Salem, died peacefully February 3rd, 2023 in Danvers.

Born in Elmira, New York, she was the daughter of the late Raymond and Margaret (Summers) Costello. She was raised and educated in Elmira and was a graduate of Elmira Southside High School. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Mercyhurst University and continued her education at Boston College, earning her Master's Degree in Education.

Miss Costello worked for many years as an educator at Bay State Community College, where she taught English. Following her retirement from teaching, she reinvented herself professionally as a technical writer for the Federal Government, composing many of the Flight Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) manuals and instruction handbooks in circulation today. She was highly regarded for her writing acumen and attention to detail. Many of her co-workers became the dearest of friends who added great joy to each other's lives.

A longtime resident of the City of Salem, Mary was an active and devoted communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Salem. The Church was not only her spiritual home but a place where she found great solace and made many enduring friendships. She loved living in Salem and was active civically and socially. She was a member of Hamilton Hall and often attended their lecture series. A voracious reader and lifelong learner, Mary was an active member and supporter of the Salem Athenaeum and participated in the Explorer Series through Salem State University.

Mary discovered water aerobics at the Salem Y early in her retirement and absolutely loved it. She was an avid walker, patrolling Salem Common, greeting friends, new and old alike. She was the unofficial ambassador of Forrester Street and could often be found reading on her porch, always willing to share a quick hello or embark on an extended conversation with neighbors. She was a member of the Salem Common Neighborhood Association and had a true passion for animals especially her feline companions. She was a die hard New England Patriots fan and ardent admirer of Tom Brady.

Mary was a true study in resiliency, creating a life she enjoyed and forming bonds that would last a lifetime. She was intelligent, kind, steadfast in her beliefs and opinions and always quick to smile. She will be missed.

Mary is survived by her brother, David Raymond Costello of Buffalo, NY, her nieces, Elizabeth Summers Costello of Portland, OR, and Sarah Bunker Costello and her husband, Christopher Dumm, also of Portland, OR and, her nephew, Brooke Joseph Costello and his wife, Justine Kalb Costello of Brooklyn, NY, her great nephews, Nicolas, Redd and Greer, and many dear friends especially Peter and Sophia O'Brien of Salem. She was the aunt of the late David M. Costello.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her Funeral Mass will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, Wednesday, Feb 8th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Salem. Visiting hours prior to the Mass at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM, Wed. Feb 8th from 9 to 10:30 A.M. Donation in Mary's memory may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Boston, C/O Development, 10 Anna's Pl, Dedham, MA 02026 or at arlboston.org. Or to the Salem Athenaeum at https://salemathenaeum.net/support/donations/ . To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex Street, Salem MA 01970
Web: https://salemathenaeum.net/support/donations/

Animal Rescue League of Boston
10 Anna's Place, Dedham MA 02026
Web: http://arlboston.org