By Joe Wessels
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mrs. Costello

FINNEYTOWN - Taking credit for things wasn't Lucile S. Costello's style.

Despite founding Cincinnati Area Senior Services, Mrs. Costello downplayed her role when interviewed for an Enquirer story in 1988. She had been nominated by Gov. Richard Celeste and then inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

"I can't imagine why they picked me, really," she said then. "There are so many better people throughout this state who quietly perform far more outstanding services."

The Finneytown resident died Oct. 27 after a long illness.

"Yes, (she was) a humble person, but very much a visionary," said Elizabeth Patterson, executive director of Cincinnati Area Senior Services. "She realized what services could be for seniors in this area, and she made it happen."

Mrs. Costello also launched many programs seniors in the area still count on: Meals on Wheels, subsidized and independent housing, outreach social services, financial aid and counseling, emergency services, senior centers and protective services.

Things began to build after Mrs. Costello's tenure as director of the YWCA's Senior Service ended in 1973.

"She got a $1,000 grant and a closet for an office and was told to do something of an outreach," said her son Pat of Landen.

From there she created the organization she led until her retirement in 1988.

Mrs. Costello was part of a White House Steering Conference on Aging in 1980 and again in 1993, participated on several committees for the National Council on Aging, served on the Jewish Community Center's Adult Services Advisory Committee, the YWCA's Board Evaluation Committee, United Way - among many other organizations.

Mrs. Costello took great care to make her children well rounded.

"She got us all involved in reading, in music, took us all to the Playhouse when we were kids," her son said. "Stuff we probably wouldn't have done if it wasn't for her."

Her husband, George H. Costello, died in 1974. Born in Philadelphia, the Costellos moved to Cincinnati so Mr. Costello could take a job with the Veterans Administration, and then later with General Electric.

Mrs. Costello graduated summa cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.

Survivors include: two other sons, Tim Costello of Wyoming and Denny Costello of Atlanta; and a sister, Peggy McDaniels of Atlanta.

Memorials: Cincinnati Area Senior Services, Holiday Office Park, Suite 1020, 644 Linn St., Cincinnati 45203; or Vitas Hospice, 11500 Northlake Blvd. Cincinnati 45249.

E-mail jwessels@enquirer.com