Mary Ann (Huether) Costello

MaryAnn Costello 1938 - 2024

MaryAnn Costello, 86, of Roslindale, died after a brief illness on October 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  

She was born in Boston, MA in 1938 to Otto and Frieda Huether and was raised in Roslindale with her sister, Loretta and brother, Robert.  Some of the memories she liked to share about her childhood were the Sunday rides that the family took in their car, playing ball during the summer and ice skating during the winter at Healy Field and the time the family spent at Swift’s Beach where they would rent a cottage each summer.  She attended Boston Public Schools, graduating from Roslindale High School in 1955.  Upon graduating from high school, and getting her driver’s license, she promptly started on a road trip to Florida with her sister and friends, a trip that she fondly remembered and often talked about for the rest of her life.  

When she returned, she started work at First National Bank of Boston, a job that she secured prior to graduation.  A few years later, through a co-worker (her future sister-in-law), she met James Costello, who she married in 1961 in a ceremony at Saint Columbkille’s Church in Brighton.  For their honeymoon, they embarked on another road trip, destination: Niagara Falls.  They would enjoy many trips together, particularly later in life, including to Europe, Alaska, the Caribbean and Bermuda.  

MaryAnn and Jim had 5 children together and she dedicated the rest of her life to her family.     Family activities were inspired by her enduring passion for travel, especially adventures in the car, and a lifelong love of nature.  She would often take the family out from morning until night on day trips in the car and, whether it was to Old Silver Beach, the Mohawk Trail, the White Mountains, or Coastal Maine, you could bet the destination was someplace the family could spend time enjoying the outdoors.  Sunday dinners, which were like a holiday dinner every week, were also a mainstay in the Costello house for many years. She loved her family and being a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was her life’s work and her proudest accomplishment.

She also loved animals and always had pets, most of which were either from the animal shelter or were strays who decided they loved her too and wanted to stay.  She was a caregiver to all who needed care. 

MaryAnn enjoyed several hobbies including gardening and watching baseball.  She also took up Karate in her early 50s, earning her third-degree brown belt well into her 60s.  This was another accomplishment she was very proud of and Karate was an important part of her life for many years.  

MaryAnn was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James J. Costello.  She was the loving mother of Laurie Costello of Roslindale, Patricia Sumner and her husband William of Norton, James M. Costello and his wife Ann Marie of West Roxbury, Kerry Lally and her husband William of Roslindale, and Chris Costello and his wife Cara of Yarmouth, Maine.  She was proud grandmother to Anthony Paolucci and his wife Shaelyn of Peabody, Matthew Sumner of Norton, Jessica Mugford and her husband Craig of Assonet, Amanda Riordan and her husband Coleman of Jamaica Plain, Amy Costello of West Roxbury, Julia Sumner of Norton, Nicholas Lally of Roslindale, Joshua Lally of Roslindale, Nora Costello of Yarmouth, Maine, and Lily Costello of Yarmouth, Maine.  And she was an adoring great-grandmother to Aevyn Paolucci, Declan Paolucci, Travis Mugford and Maeve Mugford.  She is also survived by her sister, Loretta Norton of South Dennis, her brother, Robert Huether and his wife Marie of West Roxbury, and was a caring aunt to multiple generations of nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held in the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Sunday, October 20, from 2:00 to 6:00 pm.  A funeral will be held at the funeral home on Monday, October 21, at 10:00 am, followed by a graveside service at Knollwood Memorial Park in Canton at 11:00 am.  Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life at The Chateau in Norwood immediately following the service.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Boston.  https://www.arlboston.org/