Mary S. (Dexter) Costa, 71, of New Bedford passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a long illness. She was the wife of 54 years, of Gerald A. Costa, Sr.
Born and raised in Mattapoisett, the daughter of the late Gordon J. and Leather (West) Dexter, she settled in New Bedford 54 years ago. A homemaker, Mrs. Costa loved her animals especially her cats and dogs.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Joanne M. Fitzgerald and her husband Tom of New Bedford; three sons, Gerald A. Costa, Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Douglas, MA, James P. Costa and Patrick L. Costa both of New Bedford; seven grandchildren; a great granddaughter; a brother, James Dexter, Jr. and his wife Dana of Mattapoisett; a sister, Debra Townsend and her husband Robert of Georgia; a sister in law, Dolores Adesso of Dartmouth and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, April 25, 2014, from 9-10am, with a funeral service at 10:00 am in the Donaghy Funeral Home, 465 County Street, New Bedford. Interment will follow in River-Side Cemetery, Fairhaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Cats, P.O. Box 79571, Dartmouth, MA 02747.