Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late Arthur G. Langton and Ellen (Dickinson) Langton.
Mrs. Costa was a graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Class of 1952. She then furthered her career at Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1955. Hazel was a Registered Nurse working in healthcare until the birth of her first child.
Active in politics and civic affairs, Hazel served as State Committee Chairwoman of the Massachusetts Republican Party and was the former Chairwoman of the Somerset Town Republican Committee. She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Fall River Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Rhode Island Opera Guild Orchestra, Southcoast Opera Club, member of the Somerset Cultural Council, the Red Hat Society, and the Classy Ladies.
Hazel was a member of the Baptist Temple Church in Fall River for 42 years where she served as treasurer, pianist, and sang in the choir. She then attended Third Baptist Church in Fall River for 18 years and most recently at South Swansea Baptist Church.
She is survived by three children, Joseph R. Costa of Somerset, Elizabeth A. Pearson and her husband Matthew of Chelmsford, and Douglas A. Costa of Somerset; five grandchildren, David and Kaitlin Pearson, and Zachary, Julia, and Sarah Costa, as well as many nieces and nephews. Hazel was the sister of the late June Taylor, Ellen Ayer, Louise Tasker, Arthur, William, Roy, Robert, and John Langton.
Hazel’s family would like to express their appreciation to the caring staff at Kimwell for their exceptional care and attention.
Her Visitation will be held Monday, September 21, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River, followed by a service in the funeral home at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fall River.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to the Joslin Diabetes Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215. For online tributes and directions, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com
