Mary Connie Costigan

Mary Costigan, age 85, loving wife to husband Joseph Costigan, mother of 3, grandmother of 11 and great grandmother 16, passed away suddenly on November 21, 2023. Mary was born in 1938 in Los Angeles California to Vito & Mary Bruno. She had three siblings, Nina, Jeannie and Tony as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mary and Joe met at school in East Los Angeles, began dating in 1955 and married in 1957 at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Los Angeles. On October 19, 2023, Mary and Joe celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Mary and Joe had three children, Brian, Karen & Catherine. They have lived the last 25 years in San Jacinto California.

Mary was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, always generously giving her time to others and by volunteering for organizations she loved such as the Pasadena Fire & Police Retirement Systems, the Freightliners Chassis Owners Club (FCOC) and the Grindlewald Ski Club (GSC).

Together in life, Mary & Joe traveled the United States extensively in their motorhome, Mary driving while Joe navigated in the passenger seat with their furry travel mates Lucy and Buddy sitting on his lap. Mary and Joe also enjoyed life on the water, owning several boats used for waterskiing, fishing and recreation. Mary was a marathon water skier, snow skier and dancer. In addition to their travels in the United States,

Mary and Joe also traveled the world, skiing the Alps and taking a ride in a gondola in Venice Italy. They also took every opportunity to dance which they both did beautifully. Mary loved to cook and bake and during Thanksgiving and Christmas, she would always bring the baked goods to family gatherings. Her homemade pumpkin and apples pies were family favorites as well as her Christmas butter cookies, fudge, toffee and peanut brittle. She always made enough so the family could take some home to enjoy later.

One of Mary’s many talents was making beautiful quilts for family and friends. Each family member has a quilt made from Mary, most with a special inscription sewn on the backside. Mary also made quilts to donate to charity, of those, most were patriotic themed.

As the wife of retired Pasadena Policeman and Fire Captain Joseph “Joe” Costigan (PPD and PFD 1958-1988), Mary volunteered her time over the past 30 years to keep the Pasadena Fire & Police Retirement Systems (FPRS) family connected through maintaining and updating the annual Pasadena Fire & Police Retirees Association (FPRA) Membership Roster which she worked on so diligently on with her husband Joe.

Mary’s association with the Freightliners Chassis Owners Club (FCOC) began when Mary & Joe joined FCOC in 2004. They were active members always ready to volunteer whenever needed. Mary was elected the VP of Membership in 2012, serving in the position until her passing. In her position as VP of Membership, she enjoyed speaking with and helping many members with their membership questions. Mary organized, hosted or was the assistant host for numerous club rallies during her time with the club. She made and donated numerous quilts over the years to club raffles for charity. She continuously honored our Veterans during club rallies by setting up the Missing Man Table display at many rallies.

Mary also loved being a member of the Grindlewald Ski Club (GSC) for almost 50 years, participating in annual trips to ski destinations around the world as well as participating in events in California such as the annual Grindlewald Luau, which was held at Mary and Joe’s home. Mary often performed at the GSC Luau talent show, most notably, as Tina Turner singing and dancing to the song “Proud Mary”, which also was Mary’s very own theme song. Over the years, Mary served in many positions on the board including GSC President and editor of the club’s newsletter, the Nachrichten. Mary received many awards from the GSC, including The Lifetime Award. Mary and Joe formed many lifelong friendships at the Grindlewald Ski Club.

Mary lived a full and rich life, full of family, friends and service to organizations, and individuals. Everyone loved Mary for her caring and kindness, as well as her endless sense of humor. She will be missed, and her beautiful memory will shine forever in our hearts. ❤️

A service to celebrate the Life of Mary Costigan will be held on Friday February 9 at 10am, San Gabriel Mission and the Celebration of Life at the Altadena Country Club from 12:00 to 4:00.

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend ❤️