Rita Rose Costello
March 30, 1931 – July 20, 2024
Rita Rose Hartnett Costello grew up in South Omaha and attended Saint Mary’s Grade School on 36th and “Q” Street, followed by Saint Mary’s High School, where she graduated in 1949. Her class was dedicated to our Lady of Fatima, and Rita’s unwavering faith in our Lord, provided her with strength throughout her life.
After high school, Rita worked at US National Bank for seven years. In 1954, she married John “Jack” Costello. They were blessed with five children, one son and four daughters. Tragically, their six years together were cut short when Jack, an Omaha Police Officer, died in a motorcycle accident while on duty on May 30, 1961. At that time, their children were just four, three, two, one, and four months old. Jack was 33, and Rita was 30.
Rita often said, “ This is where I put all my faith and trust in my God on a daily basis.” Her faith gave her the strength to face the immense challenges ahead. As a single mother, she took on all caregiving responsibilities and managed the household, yardwork, and finances on her own.
Once her youngest child turned 18, Rita worked for 13 years as a clerk typist for the Clerk of the District Court in Omaha. Throughout her life, she remained active and engaged, celebrating every holiday, never missing a birthday with a card to family members, collecting cookbooks, making Croatian Nut Bread, and enjoying word search books, and computer games.
Rita was a devoted charter member of Saint Pius X Parish for 70 years, participating in the Pius Young at Heart Group, Parish festivities, and various charitable activities. She faithfully attended worship services until her health began to decline in her later years.
Rita was an incredible mother and grandmother, whose spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, who loved and admired her deeply.
She was preceded in death by husband, John E. Costello (“Jack”); mother and father, Rose and John J. Hartnett; and brother, Henry Hartnett.
Rita is survived by her five children: Ellen (Kent) Junge, Maureen (Paul) Norman, Timothy (Shari) Costello, Colleen (Tim) Cunningham, Michelle Costello; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.
VISITATION: 9:30 a,m. with a Rosary before the Mass.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, July 25, 10:30 AM, Saint Pius X Catholic Church, 6905 Blondo St., Omaha, NE.
Interment, Calvary Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be directed by the family.
To view a live Broadcast of the Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “LiveCast” button at the top of the homepage.
11 Comments
To the Costello Family:
I am so very sorry for your loss. Your Mother was a wonderful person. I rode the bus with her for a time during my working years and had gotten to know her. I worked for the City of Omaha in the City Payroll office and I would have interaction with the office in which your Mother had worked. She was a blessing to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.and she will be greatly missed.
She had unwavering faith and strength and a can do attitude that was beyond admirable. She will always live within your hearts through your many fond memories of her. God Bless and be with all of you during this most difficult time.
In Christian Love and Deepest Sympathy,
Judy Buono
(Retired City of Omaha)
Judy!! Thank you for your kind words about our mom Rita!!! She was an amazing woman! We will miss her everyday!! I already miss the call before I head to work! Oh the bus!! The bags she would carry!!! Her shoulder still hurt! lol thanks for sharing your story about her
I am sorry for your loss. Rita was one of the kindest, strongest women I knew. I use to work for Title Companies back in in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I use to frequent the District Court office and I would stop by Rita’s desk and strike up conversations with her and get caught up with what was going on with her children. I attended St Pius X and was in Miki’s grade and 1 grade behind Casey. Rita always had a smile on her face and was always willing to spend the time talking with me. RIP Rita
Hi Lori! Thank you for your kind words about Rita!! She was in her home for 70 years!… she was fabulous!! Never could I complain to her about anything! I loved all the stories people shared about her! Thank you for loving her too!
Casey
Its been many years and I still hold fond memories as a little boy growing up with Rita’s children and knowing what kind loving family they are, my deepest and heartfelt condolences to you all, as they say time cures everything if I could relive what I missed this would be it. God’s blessing’s to Rita and to her children.
Hi Mikey Griebe!! You are right! Many years ago! I remember you!! We couldn’t go over the hill much! But what a great childhood we had!!! Thank you for your kind words about Rita! She was a fabulous woman!…. One of the originals on Charles street!
To the family;
Your mother made a difference in my life to this day. I remember the rules to follow we had as children. This discipline carries over to my children and their children along with the fond memories having grown up together.
My sincere condolences to you all and my, have you been busy blessing her with grandchildren and great grandchildren. What a fulfilling life, sharing her love with so many and beyond family . I am truly grateful for having her in my heart as her strength gave me a quality of life that I honored .
Prayers and comfort .
Love gitta
Hi Gitta! Oh my goodness I remember all of you! You had the coolest bikes!! We couldn’t go over the hill much! lol!! Rita lived 70 years in that home! It was her favorite place to be! Thank you for your kind words… I could never complain to her about anything!.. hope you are doing well!
To the family;
Your mother and grandma made a difference in my life to this day. I remember the rules to follow we had as children. This discipline carries over to my children and their children along with the fond memories having grown up together.
My sincere condolences to you all and my, have you been busy blessing her with grandchildren and great grandchildren. What a fulfilling life, sharing her love with so many and beyond family . I am truly grateful for having her in my heart as her strength gave me a quality of life that I honored .
Prayers and comfort .
Love gitta
my condolences to the Costello family. Rita was a wonderful kind person and a great employee..
sorry i cannot be there as i am out of town.
Rudy & Judy Tesar
We had the wonderful privilege of living just next door to Rita from 2015-2018, before we moved overseas to serve in missions. Rita was an absolute joy and light to our family. She loved our children as her own grandchildren. We shared lots of laughs, and always knew what was going on in the neighborhood. She always kept us informed. We had the opportunity to visit her two years ago while we were stateside visiting and introduce her to our third child. She felt like family, and our children will still ask about her. We celebrate the beautiful life she lived and the way she loved others, and her faithfulness to Christ. It makes us smile to think of the joyous reunion she is having with her beloved Jack. Our love and prayers go to each member of the family as you all grieve the loss of Rita. She will be deeply missed. Love and prayers from Uganda – Korwen, Julie, Eisley, Dawson, and Tabitha Kronberg
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