Dorothy Costello Obituary

Dorothy Costello

Kiawah Island - Dorothy Stassun Costello, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 21, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. She was 71. With extraordinary grace, faith, and quiet strength, Dot faced her diagnosis with unwavering determination. Along her journey, she touched the hearts of countless patients, families, nurses, and physicians, offering kindness, encouragement, and hope. She will be remembered always for her radiant spirit, her steadfast devotion to God, and the love she poured so freely into everyone she met.

Born on November 14, 1954, in Fairfield, Connecticut, Dot was the cherished daughter of the late Henry G. and Dorothy T. Stassun. She graduated from Notre Dame Girls High School, Fairfield University, and the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary.

Dot dedicated more than 35 years to an accomplished legal career, serving with distinction as a Staff Attorney, Regional Counsel, and Corporate Lawyer in both federal service and private industry. Yet the achievements of which she was most proud were found not in the courtrooms or boardrooms but in the life she built raising her family in Strafford, Pennsylvania, before retiring to Kiawah in 2016. She was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, James J. Costello; a loving mother to her children, Elizabeth and James (Kristen); and a joyful grandmother to her adorable grandson, Ernest.

Dot had a gift for making life beautiful. She was a talented cook and homemaker who delighted in caring for others. She loved golfing and traveling the world with Jim; it didn't matter where they went, as long as they were together. Art had always been a passion in her life, from volunteering with Art Goes to School, to using her gift of interior decorating to create a warm, welcoming home. She also served on the Board of Arts Etc. in Kiawah, which raises funds for the students of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. Dot was an unabashed college football fan. Every Saturday morning in the fall, she would eagerly wait for College Gameday, so she could passionately cheer for her adopted Michigan football team.

Her faith guided her life. She was a devoted member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island and gave tirelessly through Bible study, tutoring, food and clothing distribution programs. Dedicated to staying active, Dot found great joy riding with her beloved Sprockettes, as they explored Kiawah together, laughing and savoring every mile. She was also proud to have served as a Marshal at multiple PGA and USGA golf tournaments. Dot treasured the friendships and community she found through the historic St. David's Golf Club in Wayne, Pennsylvania, the Kiawah Island Club, The Governor's Club and the Union League of Philadelphia.

Above all else, Dot lived a life defined by love-love for her family, her faith, her community, and the countless people whose lives she quietly made better. Her warmth, compassion, and unwavering spirit will remain a guiding light to all who were blessed to know her. Dot is survived by her husband, James J. Costello of Kiawah Island, South Carolina; her children, Elizabeth and James (Kristen); her grandson, Ernest; and her brother, Peter Stassun.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on May 8, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. For those unable to attend but wish to remember Dot, you may watch the livestream at https://boxcast.tv/view/dorothy-costello-funeral-diiwl4dbssucxtazt9rq.

One of Dot's final wishes was that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Dot's honor to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org/donate).

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.

We invite you to share a memory and sign our guest book.