Barbara W. Costello, 88, of Melrose, MA, passed away on January 15,
2026, surrounded by her family.
Born in Providence, RI, on February 4, 1937, she was raised in New
Bedford, MA. After her marriage, she settled in Malden, where she
raised her family and later made her home in Melrose. She was
predeceased by her beloved husband of 45 years, Thomas P. Costello.
Barbara was a graduate of Bryant College. She volunteered at St.
Joseph’s Parish in Malden as a Religious Education Coordinator and
also served as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts. Throughout her
professional life, she held positions with the Internal Revenue
Service, Shamut Bank, Middlesex Federal Savings Bank, and worked for
20 years as a legal secretary. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, and
playing games on her tablet. She valued time spent with her family,
particularly at her summer home in Fairhaven, MA.
She is survived by her children: Thomas P. Costello, Jr. (Deanne) of
Melrose, MA; Kathleen M. Grace (James) of Danvers, MA, and their
children, Margaret Baratta (Matthew), Mary Kate Grace, James Grace
(Emily Moore), and Paul Grace (Emily); and Michael P. Costello
(Doreen) of Peabody, MA, and their children. She is also survived by
two great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mary Ellen Hautanen and Paula
Curry, and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Walter F. and Kathryn M.
(Matthews) Curry, and Paul R. and Mary V. (Matthews) Curry; and by her
sisters, Anne Porter and Margaret Curry.
Funeral from the A. J. Spadafora Funeral Home, 865 Main Street, Malden on Wednesday January 21st at 10:00am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated in St. Joseph’s Parish, 770 Salem Street, Malden at 11:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00pm-7:00pm. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty St., Danvers, MA, 01923 in her name.