Christine H. Costello

NOTRE DAME – Christine Helen Costello was born on October 15, 1931 and died of congestive heart failure in her home at Andre Place in Holy Cross Village. She died surrounded by all of her children, music, God, and her beloved husband.
She was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and came to South Bend in 1960 when her husband, Donald, got a teaching position in the English Department at The University of Notre Dame. They settled on Wakewa Ave in the North Shore Triangle neighborhood where she not only raised their six children, but she also took numerous classes at the University of Notre Dame, and hosted glorious dinner parties. She was a foodie before anyone knew the word. She was farm to table before it was even invented. Her glorious garden was the talk of the neighborhood. Christine was also an expert needle worker and a member of the Embroiderers Guild of America. She read widely and was a longtime leader of the Evening Book Group of the Ladies of Notre Dame. She loved opera, theater and travel.
Christine was preceded in death by her parents Helen (Curtin) and John Kane and by her sister, Mary (Harold) Schwind. She also lost her brothers, Br. John S.J., Gerald (Marilyn), and James. Fortunately, she still had her brothers Thomas (Jean deceased) and Robert. Christine is also survived by her husband of 66 years, Donald, children Christopher (Lois Vanderhoof deceased), Maria O’Connor, Monica (John) Dilenschneider, Paul, Matthew (Anne) and John (Leigh Ann Marchant).
Christine was a supportive and loving wife and an unfailingly kind, giving and sensitive mother. She was the best grandma ever to twenty one grand kids and three great-grand kids, with one more on the way.
Christine said after learning of her heart failure, “Don’t worry about me: I’ve had a very good life and I’m old!”
Funeral services will take place Monday, May 21, at 9:30am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, on the Notre Dame Campus. Burial will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame. Friends may call Sunday from 3-7:00pm at the McGann Hay Funeral Hone, University Chapel, 2313 E.Edison Rd., just east of campus. There will be a Wake Service at 3:30pm Sunday in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: Logan Protective Services Board, PO Box 1049, South Bend, IN 46601, Community Foundation of Saint Joseph County or your own favorite charity.