April 14, 2012

Mary M. (Costello) Brown, 89; formerly of Fulton joined her Lord and Savior Saturday, April 14th at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Penn Yan, NY. Mrs. Brown was born July 31, 1922, the oldest child of the late Joseph and Ann (McKniff) Costello of Forge Village, MA. Mrs. Brown moved to Fulton in 1965 and later moved to Penn Yan to be closer to family. Mrs. Brown graduated from high school before her 17th birthday, attained her R.N. degree following nurses training at the Burbank Hospital School of Nursing, Fitchburg, MA, and proudly served in the United States Navy Nurse Corp from 1945-1948. She was honorably discharged as a World War II Veteran at the rank of Lieutenant Jr. Grade. Mrs. Brown maintained fond memories of her service at Mare Island Naval Hospital, Vallejo, CA, where she attended to soldiers injured in the Pacific Theater. Although she returned to nursing in the late 1960’s for nearly 20 years, she dedicated her earlier married life to her husband, children and the Lord in our hometowns of Webster City, IA; Tuscola, IL, Tampa, FL and Fulton, NY. She was always home for the children when they arrived from school and she and Mr. Brown were constantly involved in their children’s school and church activities such as scouts, sports, and band. She was a lone-time communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Fulton, NY from 1965 to 1997 and since 1997 she was a communicant of St. Michael’s Church, Penn Yan. In addition she attended St. Joseph’s Church, Bradenton, FL., for several winters during the 1980’s and 1990’s. It would be difficult to estimate the number of hours Mrs. Brown devoted to serving the Lord, her churches and others outside of our family. She was past employed as a Registered Nurse at A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital and Andrew Michaud Nursing Home, Fulton. Mrs. Brown was a past member of the Catholic Daughters Court Pere LeMoyne #833 for over 40 years, including serving as CDA Regent for several terms. She was also a long-time member of the St. Joseph’s Columbiette Auxiliary #254, a Eucharist Minister, member of the Ladies of Rotary, and the A.L. Lee Memorial Auxiliary. Until recently, Mrs. Brown was an active volunteer with Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Penn Yan, NY and had been recognized five consecutive years for devoting the most volunteer hours (typically 450-500 hrs per year.) She lived the remaining 34 years of her life with one eye, a fact that only the family and closest friends ever knew. Mrs. Brown did not let this become a disability, and none of us ever heard a complaint from her on the loss. She was pre-deceased by her husband Louis Brown in 1996, infant son Paul L. Brown, and siblings Anna Costello, Eileen Mangano, Edward, Joseph and Thomas Costello. Mrs. Brown is survived by her children: Peter L. Brown of Penn Yan, NY, Tim (Jane) Brown of Ruckersville, VA, and Deborah Tabor of Woodlawn, TN; 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 9:30 AM Wednesday at Holy Trinity Church, Fulton where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Stephen Wirkes. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fulton. Calling hours will be conducted 4:00-7:00 PM Tuesday at the Sugar Funeral Home, Inc., 224 W. 2nd St. S. Fulton. At the request of Mrs. Brown a decade of the rosary will be recited at 6:00 PM Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Brown requested that donations be made to St. Michael’s School, Penn Yan, NY 14527 or to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Penn Yan, NY 14527.