On June 7, 2023 the community of Bradford, in particular the children of Bradford, lost a champion. Elizabeth M Costello, Betsy joined her beloved father Patrick J Costello Jr. and cherished brother Danial J Costello in the last stop in the journey of life. 

Betsy began her vocation of working with children very young in life.  At the age of 7 her youngest sister Marie A Costello was born.  Betsy later introduced her as “My first baby that I taught to speak.”   Her babysitting career started at the age of 12.  She was highly sought after during her high school years at Bradford Central Christian.  So, by 1973 when Betsy graduated, she knew what she wanted to do, Speech Pathology with children.  Off to Owensboro Kentucky to attend Brescia College where Betsy graduated Cum Laude.  Leaving the heat of the South, Betsy then set her sights in the North and attended The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Betsy achieved her Masters of Communication Disorders and Sciences.                       . 

Back in Bradford Betsy opened a preschool and began working with both adults and children as a traveling speech pathologist in Elk, Cameron and McKean Counties.  Betsy later started her career at the Visiting Nurses of McKean County under the umbrella of Bradford Hospital. She began as a therapist and ended her career as the Executive Director.  Once again, her true self heard the calling to go back to her first love, helping children. 

Betsy left the VNA and started her business contract with Early Intervention to work with Birth to 3-year-olds.  Her kids, as they were lovingly referred to, cover 3 counties. She spent countless hours with thousands of children and their families.  Using a wholistic approach Betsy got everyone involved on the sessions.  Whether they were baking cookies, going to the duck pond or counting blocks the family were there, involved, learning.  She offered support, guidance and love to Her Parents, especially Her Mothers.

Family meant everything to Betsy and she loved her nieces and nephews.  It was one of her greatest pleasures in life to watch their families grow.  Her niece Alliyson Feldmann, her husband Andy and their children Ysabella and Drew were extremely close to Aunt Betsy. They were given the gift of time with her as Betsy would stay with them for weeks at a time during the year.

Service was Betsy’s legacy which she inspired in everyone she touched.  She served many years on the United Way of the Bradford Area Board of Directors including serving as Vice President, and then President.  You can thank Betsy for their annual Pig Roast Clam Bake. She not only Chaired the event she was The Chef for 20 years.  One of the many reasons she was the 2006 Red Feather recipient.  Her work continued as she became very active through her practice with CARE for Children an she received the Making The Difference Award in 2010.  Betsy’s last great act of service for our community was being one of the founders of the Save our Hospital movement.  She will be watching over us to make sure we accomplish our mission.

As much as Betsy loved her home she loved to travel.  She made it to 47 states and several countries, but her favorite trip was returning to our father’s roots; County Mayo, Ireland.  Betsy grew our family ties with our cousins. They communicated on a weekly basis.  It is because of this we are holding an Irish Wake for Betsy from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday June 17, 2023 in the Community Room at Grace Lutheran Church on Mechanic Street.  This is a celebration of her life.  Be prepared to share a story.  We hope to meet some of Her Kids there.

Donations may be made to:  Growing with Grace Christian Preschool, The Learning Center, The Childrens Program at Bradford Area Public Library, McKean County Special Olympics.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.   

Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.