Friends of the University

santaclaramagazine@gmail.com

 

Jo Ann Costella died on Aug. 21, 2010. She was a resident of Santa Clara. Jo Ann was born on Apr. 12, 1928 to Charles and Nena Williams in Lodi, CA. She was raised in Chowchilla, CA until moving to Santa Cruz, CA and graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1945. In 1946 she met Richard Costella, the love of her live, at the Cocoanut Grove on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and they were married March 3, 1951 at the Carmel Mission in Carmel, CA. In 1955 they bought a home in Santa Clara, CA and began raising three sons, Rick, Chris and Jon. In 1968, Jo Ann commenced on a rewarding twenty five years of employment at Santa Clara University before retiring in 1993 with a commendation of gratitude from The Rev. Paul Locatelli, S.J. At heart, Jo Ann was a small town girl but she loved to travel. She and Richard traveled extensively, visiting all points of the globe. Jo Ann is survived by her loving husband, Richard, of Santa Clara; son Rick and future daughter-in-law Kimberly Thompson of San Jose; son Jon and daughter-in-law Suze of Santa Clara; son Chris of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Patrick, Natalie, Sharon, Addison, Rachel, Spencer and great-grandsons Jordan and Holden. Jo Ann will be remembered for her unconditional love, support, and encouragement of her children and family.

 

08 Nov 2018