Marie Josephine (Basilio) Costa

 Mrs. Marie Josephine (Basilio) Costa, passed away peacefully, on November 17, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. She was 99 years old.

Marie Jo was born in Utica, January 24, 1924, a daughter of the late John and Carmela Basilio. She was the eldest of five siblings, Anthony, Rose, Fred, and Loretta is the last surviving sibling. 

Marie Jo attended Proctor High School and Utica College, where she graduated in 1966 with a degree in English Literature. In June of 1950, she married Richard Hauer Costa, who was a Professor of English at Utica College. They had one son, Philip H. Costa, who was born August 3, 1955. 

Marie Jo worked for Fairchild Publications for nine years, submitting articles for such journals as Electronics News, Metalworking News, and Women's Wear Daily. She taught freshman level English Literature at Utica College and Purdue University. After she moved to College Station, TX, with her husband and son, she taught English at Bryan and was instrumental in reforming the mental health system in Texas by helping set up and direct Community Centers throughout the state, but, her efforts were not continued after she moved back to Utica in 2010, and now Texas is ranked last in the nation for mental health services. 

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard, who passed away in 2019 and her beloved little dog, Scotty, who died one year earlier. She is survived by her devoted son, Phil. 

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Celebration of Marie Jo’s life, officiated by the Presbyterian Home Spiritual Care Ministry on Tuesday, November 28th at 2pm  at The Chapel in The Presbyterian Home of CNY, 4290 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY. Private inurnment will be in New Forest Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Presbyterian Nursing Home for CNY, in her memory. 

                                        Online memorials at www.MattFuneralHome.com

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