Patricia Sue Costello

Our beloved wife, mother, grandma and friend, Pat Costello, passed away peacefully at her home on Camano Island on February 7, 2021 at the age of 79.

On November 1, 1941; Patricia Sue was born in Seattle, WA to William and Barbara Anderson. She was the younger sister to the late William (Andy) Anderson, III. Growing up "Patty Sue" loved being a nuisance to her older brother, and all things related to animals. She graduated from Roosevelt high school in 1959 and attended college classes at the University of Washington. She always loved her Dawgs!

In Pat's early career, one of her roles was as an elevator operator in downtown Seattle. She excelled at this job as she loved meeting new people (even the then Senator John F Kennedy, and former President Truman) and always had a smile on her face.

Pat met the love of her life on a Christmas Eve blind date and married Roland Costello on June 30, 1967. Together they raised two children; the late Jayne Costello and Sharon Wegenast (Costello). Pat was a devoted wife and one of her greatest joys was being a mother. She was involved in all aspects of Jayne and Sharon's lives; from volunteering as homeroom mom to cheer mom; she always put family and the girls first. Ron and Pat built a home in Edmonds and a second home, on Camano Island. Many weekends were spent at "the Cabin"; hanging out at the beach, playing games (Spoons, anyone?), or curling up next to the wood stove with a good book.

As Jayne and Sharon grew up, Pat jumped into the world of retail (she adored shopping so this was a perfect match!) and worked for The Bon Marche and then Lamont's at the Alderwood Mall. She enjoyed working in the children's department the most; helping customers pick out the perfect outfit for their child. After working retail, Pat then started a long career as a receptionist. She worked in a Doctor's office, spent many years in the mortgage industry, and retired from AGC (Associated General Contractors). She was always a professional, but with a wicked sense of humor thrown in to ensure that life wasn't taken too seriously. Over the years, several of her supervisors would move from one company to the next but would always bring Pat along to ensure the front desk organized, well-functioning and fun!

Throughout her life, she enjoyed gardening, watching old movies, and even joined a bowling league. At one point in her life she took tap dancing lessons with a neighbor friend and performed in a dance recital too! She tried her hand at many different types of crafts – macramé, sewing, quilting, dried flower arrangements, calligraphy and scrapbooking. Pat would attend regular scrapbook weekends with Sharon and friends, but we think it was just an excuse to buy more embellishments, play with stickers and socialize!

Pat loved to entertain; whether it be progressive dinners or 4th of July parades with neighbors in Wingate, family gatherings at the Cabin, or later, pool parties at their condo in Seattle, sailing with the

Puget Sound Yacht club members, or picnics with their car club. Pat was not one to shy away from organizing an event or throwing a party.

Pat also loved animals her whole life and shared that with her children and grandchildren. Dogs, a Shetland pony named "Shane", a horse named "Flame", ducks, a rabbit, a hamster (that at one point she performed mouth to mouth resuscitation on) … they were all a part of the Costello household. Pat treasured dogs the most and during her entire adult life, she always had a dog by her side. On her 75th birthday, she even got a dog paw tattoo. She considered herself a very "hip" Grandma.

Speaking of which, one of Pat's greatest titles was indeed "Silly Grandma". She was the proud grandma to Jakob Wegenast (25), Conner Costello (21), Anna Wegenast (20) and Katie Costello (16). She spoiled her grandkids and was notorious for bringing them little gifts, "sessies" as she called them. Hot Wheels, Beanie Babies, books, craft supplies, Breyer Horses, American Girl – she was a generous giver. Reminiscent of her days in retail, she enjoyed buying special outfits for her grandkids for birthdays and Christmas; many of which are stored away to eventually give to her future great-grandchildren. She was also never afraid of acting silly (thus the name) and would get down on the floor with her grandchildren and play with them. She would spend hours playing cars, barbies, dolls, and games. She was a big kid at heart and loved to laugh and have dance parties too. Silly Grandma also attended many events to cheer on her grandkids; baseball, basketball, football, volleyball games, recitals and horseshows; you name it, and she was there rooting on her grandkids.

Upon retirement, Pat and Ron moved to Camano Island and started to travel as much as they could together. They went on several cruises, even bringing the kids and grandkids on an Alaskan cruise in 2011. Pat loved to visit with family in South Dakota; (including at Fetterfest (Cousin Festival) family reunions where she got to drive huge tractors) or visit with family members in Minnesota and DC. In recent years, they spent time in Arizona visiting with friends and eventually purchased a vacation home in Surprise, AZ.

She had a passion for old cars that she shared with Ron, as they restored her mom's 1957 Ford classic convertible. They were long standing members of the Early Ford V8 car club and would go on long car rides with other members. They would also take the '57 (and others as their car collection grew) in local parades where Conner and Katie would sit in the back of the convertible and toss out candy to people watching the parade.

Pat will be sorely missed and is survived by her wonderful husband of 53 years, Ron; her youngest daughter, Sharon, her "favorite" son-in-law, Dan Wegenast (yes, it's a joke between them), her four grandchildren; Jake, Conner, Anna and Katie. Also, her sister-in-law's; Ruth Ann Slagle and Cathy Anderson, brother-in-law, Robert Blair as well as many cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She also leaves behind a wealth of friends and neighbors that were more like family and that she loved deeply.

Pat was preceded in death by her first-born daughter, Jayne Costello; her parents, William & Barbara Anderson; her brother, William Anderson III; her parents-in-law, Vincent and Gladys Costello; her sister-in-law, Marlys Blair; and her brother-in-law, Frank Slagle.

Pat's faith was not loud and boisterous, but one of a quiet personal relationship with God. She was baptized with Conner and Katie in 2004. And, although our hearts were not ready for this loss, her angel wings were ready.

A small funeral service will be held on February 17, 2021 at Camano Lutheran Church. A celebration of life (aka – one big party!) will be planned at a later date after current attendance restrictions lift.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts may be made to Camano Lutheran Church at 850 Heichel Rd, Camano Island, WA 98282 or the Camano Island Animal Shelter at 198 Can Ku Road, Camano Island WA 98292.