Taught exercise classes into her 80s
Published February 4, 2021
READING — Dorothy E. (McAvoy) Costello, 102, of Reading and formerly of North Reading, died at her daughter’s home in Pelham, N.H. on Monday, January 25, 2021. She was the beloved wife of the late James Costello.
Born in Cambridge on February 26, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Carolyn (Kidney) McAvoy. She was a graduate of Cambridge High School.
Dorothy worked at Instrumentation Laboratories for 25 years as an office manager. She later worked as a baker for 10 years for the North Reading Public Schools.
She was a former resident of Reading for 30 years. She was a member of St. Theresa’s Church in North Reading and an active member of the North Reading Senior Center, where she taught an exercise program when she was in her 80s. She was an avid baker and continued to present us with treats well into her 90s.
Dorothy was tiny but very strong. She lived alone and took care of herself until she was 101 years old. Her strong faith in God shone in all she was, a caring, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend to all who knew her.
Family members include her loving daughter, Carolyn Pierce and her husband Donald; grandchildren, Ian McMahon, Joshua McMahon and Lanna Pierce; great-grandchildren, Elyse and David McMahon; and her late sisters, Helen Harris, Mary Hamlin, Veronica Barrett and Margaret Hatten.
Her funeral was held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading on Saturday, January 30 followed by a funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., North Reading. Visitation was held on Friday, January 29.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to the charity of one’s choice. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
