Joan Abel Costello, 87

Joan Abel Costello, 87, of Lancaster, entered into rest on Friday July 14, 2006 at Susquehanna Nursing and Rehab. Center in Columbia, where she received excellent care.  Previously, she lived at Evergreen Estates Retirement Community in Lancaster.  Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Frank M. and Josephine J. Kirchner Abel.  She was the wife of the late Joseph C. Costello, to whom she was married for 47 years.

She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1936 and Misericordia College, Dallastown, PA in 1940.

For many years she was employed as a substitute teacher at St. Anthony’s Catholic School, the Lancaster City, Lampeter-Stasburg, and Pequea Valley School Districts.

She was past president of St. Anthony’s Mothers Club and very active in St. Anthony’s Christmas bazaar.  She enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews, and traveling.  She made beautiful handmade dolls and designed her own jewelry.

Joan was a member of the Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Association and the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae where for several years she held the position of president and program chairman.

She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Joan Costello Dunagan wife of   Dr. Randy Dunagan of San Francisco, CA; grandson, Michael Good of San Francisco, CA; sisters, Rose Mary Horn of Lancaster; Teresa I. wife of Walter Tymon of Lancaster; brother, Richard A. husband of Virginia Abel of Quarryville; brother-in-law, Ernest Renk of Harrisburg; sister-in-law, Jane Abel of Willow Street; and nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by sisters, Clair M. Renk, Elizabeth J. Pointer; brother, Frank J. Abel; brother-in-laws, George T. Horn and James T. Pointer.