Elizabeth Costello

Elizabeth Ashton Costello passed away on March 27, 2024. Born on February 6, 1928, in Iowa City, Iowa, she and her sister Polly were the cherished daughters of John and Florence Ashton. She was married to the great love of her life, Edward Costello, for 51 years and was awash in the love of her large family until her final breath.

Elizabeth brought her special warmth and wisdom to all pursuits in a life marked by a love of reading, education and whatever adventure offered itself to her. While raising eight children, she taught at the Academy of the Sacred Heart where she left an indelible mark on generations of students. Her classroom was a sanctuary of curiosity, where young minds blossomed under her gentle guidance.

Beyond the classroom, Elizabeth loved exploration. She reveled in overseas travels all around the world, but her heart belonged to Paris, France—the city of love, art, and croissants. On each visit there, she soaked up the Seine’s political and poetic history and was sure to tour the Musée d'Orsay.

Elizabeth found solace in memories of her late husband, the two of them watching the sun rise in St. Maarten, and of their spirited conversations with friends and family, always marked by their shared laughter. In later years, she treasured shared family gatherings Hilton Head, Florida and her favorite European locales.

She was a devoted mother to her eight children: Tom, Linda, John, Chris, Dan, Dave, Matt, and Kitty.  Her nurturing spirit touched the lives of 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, weaving a tapestry of love that will endure through the ages.

Elizabeth was guided by her faith.  It helped her through every stage of her life.  She was most recently a parishioner at St. Jude the Apostle where she enjoyed listening to the sermons on Sunday mornings.

A celebration of Elizabeth’s life will be held at St. Jude the Apostle, on April 10th at 10:00am at 7171 Glenridge Drive Atlanta GA 30328. A reception wil follow the service at 1:00 pm at the home of Linda Costello at 135 Cartier Court Roswell GA 30074.  Everyone is invited.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Academy of the Sacred Heart Scholarship Fund, 1250 Kensington Rd, Bloomfield Hills Michigan 48304—a tribute to her lifelong commitment to education.

Elizabeth Ashton Costello’s light will forever illuminate our hearts. May she rest in eternal peace.