Leonora Costa

New Bedford - Leonora Costa, age 82, passed away on Thursday November 21, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was the loving wife of Joseph Costa and the daughter of the late Maryann (Rebello) and Manuel Arruda. She was born in Dartmouth, spent all of her life in this area and worked as a Waitress at the Green Diner for many years and also tended bar at Joe Marshalls corner bar.
Leonora met her husband Joseph in 1948 at a dance at the Stackhouse street hall. That 1st dance led to 63 happy years of marriage resulting in six children Janice Dexter and her husband Ernest of Fairhaven; Joanne Mello and her husband Joseph of Dartmouth, Nancy Costa of New Bedford, Joseph Costa Jr. and his wife Tammy of Dartmouth, James Costa and his wife Sandra of Florida and Susan Costa and her fiance David Moniz of New Bedford; 12 grandchildren: Shad Samagaio, Jason Ferro, Dax Costa, Amanda Browning, Peter Mello, Brooke Costa, Tori Ponte, Jordan Costa, James Costa, Marilyn Costa, Mason Costa and Camden Moniz, as well as 9 great grandchildren. Mrs Costa also is survived by 3 living siblings: Manuel Arruda Jr., Geraldine DeMello and Dorothy Harkins, all of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Special appreciation to her grandson James for his loving care throughout her Illness.
Mrs. Costa's funeral will be Monday December 9 at PERRY FUNERAL HOME, 111 Dartmouth St, in New Bedford, beginning at 9:30 A.M. with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church at 10:30. Interment of her cremated remains will follow at Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours with her cremains present will take place in the funeral home on Sunday December 8 from 5 - 8 P.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to St. Judes Hospital