A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Patrick Costello, D.C., was celebrated November 2, 2019, in the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary Patrick died October 29, 2019, at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. She was 81 years of age and 61 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Boston, Mass., on June 11, 1938, Sister Mary Patrick (baptized Margaret) was one of eight children born to Patrick and Mary (Gannon) Costello. Sister Mary Patrick joined the Daughters of Charity on April 2, 1958, in Emmitsburg, Md., from St. Augustine Parish, South Boston. After a period of initial formation, she was sent on her first mission to St. James School in Johnson City, N.Y., where she served as an Elementary Teacher (1960 to 1964). She continued in the educational ministry for many years: Teacher at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Washington, D.C., (1964 to 1967) and St. Martin School, Baltimore, Md., (1967-1976); Principal at St. Joseph School, Martinsburg, W. Va., (1976-1982; during this time, Sister served as the Local Community Superior); Teacher at St. Dominic School, Baltimore (1982-1990) and Mother Seton School, Emmitsburg (1990-1992); Assistant Principal at St. Joseph School, Petersburg, Va., (1992-1996) and Principal at Our Lady Queen of Peace School in Washington, D.C. (1996-1998). Following a year at Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. for health reasons (1998-1999), she served in the Pastoral Care Department at Providence Hospital intermittently during the years 1999 to 2013; she served as the Local Community Superior at Providence Sisters’ House from 2003 to 2006. From 2000 to 2003 and again from 2006 to 2009 she was the Assistant at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. In 2013, Sister Mary Patrick was missioned to the Ministry of Prayer at Villa St. Michael, where she served until her death.
Sister Mary Patrick was a 1956 graduate of St. Augustine High School in South Boston. Sister Mary Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education in 1970 from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg and in 1978 earned a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Wheelock College in Boston.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Mary Agnes Wagner, Regina Mansfield, and Catherine Costello; and three brothers, Patrick J., Michael, and Thomas Costello. She is survived by her sister, Della Tallent of Billerica, Mass.; nieces and nephews; cousins; and her Sisters in Community.