Bernice Costa

New Bedford – Bernice Costa, age 76 years, died Friday, April 5th, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a period of declining health. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph Costa who passed Oct 14, 2000. Bernice was born in New Bedford, where she lived all of her life, the daughter of Mary (Martin) and Arthur Gracia. She worked at Mickey Madan Pocketbook Factory before changing professions and becoming a Home Health Aide. Bernice was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church.
Her family includes her children: Alan Costa, Bridgit Souza and her husband Paul, Christopher Costa, David Costa and his wife Karen, and Ellen Costa, all of New Bedford; her grandchildren Jonathan and Kristen Souza, Neal Costa, Alison Costa, Jennifer Costa, Matthew Costa and Craig Medeiros; as well as 4 siblings: Eugene and Cynthia Gracia of Dartmouth, the late John Gracia and the late Arthur Gracia, Jr.
Mrs. Costa’s funeral service will be Monday, April 8th beginning at 8 A.M. at Perry Funeral Home, 111 Dartmouth St. in New Bedford with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish at St. James Church at 9:00 A.M. Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery. Visiting hours will be in the funeral home on Sunday evening from 4 – 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.