Melissa Anne Costello

Melissa Anne Costello, 54, walked into eternal life on February 1, 2024. Melissa blessed her parents with her birth on July 6, 1969, in Marquette, MI. She started her life with complications at birth but proved her strength by beating the odds. Melissa graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 1987; she was an honors student and participated in both band and orchestra, playing the clarinet. Melissa graduated from Northern Michigan University with a master's degree in special education. Shortly after obtaining her teaching degree, she moved to Alanson, MI and accepted a teaching position at Littlefield Public Schools. She loved nothing more than to educate and be with her students. While teaching, a colleague introduced her to who would be her husband, Patrick Costello. They married on August 30, 1997. Their marriage was blessed (and made chaotic) by three children: Meganne, Kaylynne, and Terran.

Melissa has shown the utmost strength throughout her life. Not only defying odds at birth, but also surviving a severe sepsis infection from a bowel perforation in her twenties, being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, and battling Colon Cancer. She fought with grace and dignity; never getting down on her luck and teaching her students as long as she could. She always had the right words or the right joke to make light of a situation. Melissa made fast, close friends that she will continue to hold onto long after her passing. Those friends were a huge support throughout her life. They made day trips out of doctor appointments, checked in on the rest of the family, and told her to slow down a little while shopping (even though she never did). Shopping was a big hobby of hers but alongside that she enjoyed spending afternoons on the beach at her cabin in Brimley, MI, with her family. She loved reading, proving her kids wrong, and playing fetch with the World’s Most Spoiled Corgi, Harley.

Melissa is survived by her spouse, Pat; children, Meganne, Kaylynne, and Terran; her parents, Lee and Bev Kersey; sisters Michelle (David) Borrett, Melanie (Joseph) Ori, Mother-in-Law Jean Costello, along brother and sister in laws, and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Lee and Cora Kersey and Elmer and Betty Anderson, Father-in-law Richard “Dick” Costello, a couple close friends, and a few puppies.

Melissa was an amazing mom, wife, friend, and person all around. She will be missed immensely by those who knew and loved her. Per her request, no formal services will be planned; but there will be a summertime bonfire for friends and family. Melissa, you will be loved forever. We’ll see you in the dragonflies.  

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