Hilda Louise Costello

Hilda Louise Costello, 90, of Grosse Ile, MI, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 2, after a brief hospital stay. Hilda, known to many as Hildi, was a resident of Grosse Ile for more than 55 years. She was a kind, compassionate mother, proud grandmother, and loving wife and will be greatly missed. Hilda was known for her sense of humor, unique philosophy and lively spirit. Hilda made friends everywhere she went. She had a deep interest in people, which made others comfortable with her immediately and led to many lasting friendships. Born in Detroit 1930, she was the daughter of George Kenneth White, a minister, and Artie Evelyn White. Her father’s work brought the family to several places, including Lincoln Park and Monroe, MI, and Elkhart, Indiana, where she graduated from high school in 1948. She went on to get her nursing degree at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, Indianapolis, in 1952 and continued her training at Johns Hopkins, where she assisted pioneering cardiac surgeon Alfred Blalock. Her years as a nurse were among the most fulfilling in her life. Caring for people was her passion, whether it was holding a premature baby or treating an elderly person. She even served on a burn unit at the Indianapolis 500. While working as a head nurse at Lynn Hospital in Lincoln Park, MI, Hilda met a charming young doctor named Stephen Costello. The pair were soon married and would go on to have three children. After starting a family Hilda left nursing to become a full-time mother. In these happy years, while settled in Grosse Ile, she built a wonderful community of friends she would enjoy for the rest of her life. An avid tennis player, she continued to play well into her 80s, as much for the camaraderie as for the game. Hilda found great sustenance in her faith and loved attending church. She also liked going to the opera, symphonies, plays, and art lectures. Even as she aged, Hilda loved meeting new people and had a knack for striking up conversations. She was forever noticing something unique about someone or asking them about themselves in a kindly way. She also had an amazing ability to listen to problems and offer helpful advice, which her family and friends appreciated. She leaves behind her son, Stephen Costello of Melbourne Beach, FLA; her daughter, Elizabeth Walker, her granddaughter, Annie Walker; and her son in law, Richard Walker of Westville, NY. She was predeceased by her husband, Stephen Costello and her eldest daughter, Patricia Costello of Grosse Ile. A memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Heart Association.