Caroline Ruth Costello

Caroline Ruth Costello peacefully departed this world to enter into eternal life at 4:35 am Central Time on April 22, 2015 in Plano, Texas. Ruth, as she preferred, was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 12, 1925. She is preceded by her beloved husband of 66 years, James Russell (Jim) Costello. The only child of Mark and Caroline Drinkall, who immigrated to the United States from England via British Columbia, she was a proud first generation American. Ruth is survived by her daughter Kim Louise Costello-Wolpert of West Palm Beach, Florida, son and daughter-in law, Mark and Mary Costello of Plano, Texas as well as 5 grandsons, 2 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Ruth spent her childhood in Michigan City, Indiana and South Bend, Indiana. She was a graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois having earned a Bachelor Degree in Sociology. She also attended Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana prior to transferring to Knox to be close to her favorite aunts Nellie Stables and Annie Weinberg who lived in Galesburg. During World War II, Ruth proudly worked at the Bendix plant in South Bend riveting wing panels on airplane, an occupation known as a "Rosie the Riveter". Ruth met her husband Jim while he was pursing his Doctorate at the University of Notre Dame.
Jim and Ruth made their first home in Chicago Heights, IL where Ruth was a social worker with the Welfare Department. Jim's career took them to Leawood, Kansas a suburb of Kansas City where they started their family. Subsequent corporate moves led them to Nassau Bay, Texas and later back to Ruth's childhood hometown of Michigan City from which Jim commuted to Chicago via the South Shore Railroad. Ruth briefly returned to the workforce in Michigan City where she worked as a supervisor in the Welfare Department in Michigan City. The Costello's last corporate stop was Andover, New Jersey, a small town in Sussex County. When Jim retired in 1985 he and Ruth made one final move to Plano, Texas where they have enjoyed their retirement for 30 years and attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
Ruth will forever be remembered by her friends and family for her quick wit and intellect. She was a devoted wife and mother who was compassionate and kind while also being a strong and assertive independent woman, fiercely proud of her family and her English heritage. Ruth was particularly fond of dogs having shared her home with many during her life, generally spoiling them with her love and occasionally adopting strays. Ruth was proud of her alma mater and supported not only Knox and Hanover Colleges as well as her numerous favorite charities, particularly those dedicated to helping children and animals.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Ruth's honor on Thursday,April 30, 2015 at 11:00 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas. Interment in the parish Columbarium will immediately follow the funeral Mass with a lunch reception in the Parish Hall.