Virginia Carroll Costigan, age 92, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 11, 2023. She was born in Derby, CT on June 7, 1931 and was the youngest child of James A and Viola Marren Carroll. She was the beloved wife of the late John F Costigan and was a lifelong Derby resident.
Virginia married the love of her life, John F Costigan in 1953 and spent 47 wonderful years together.
Virginia is survived by her six daughters: Ellen (Rich) Holden of Hoboken, NJ; Kathy (Rich) Partesano of Wallingford, CT; Ginny (Dr William) DeMarco of Pittsfield, MA; Margie (John) Reid of Sharon, MA; Mary (Dave) Wrenn of Norton, MA; Patty (Mike) Wilmot of West Townsend, MA; Grandchildren: Erin McSherry and Caitin (Kyle) McSherry White; Jonathan and Meghan Partesano; Bill (Brianne) DeMarco, Brian (Heather) DeMarco, Vanessa Long DeMarco (Tim), Kate (Darren) Swan and Dan (Gabby) DeMarco; Sean (Sarah) Reid, Jim Reid and Tom (Sam) Reid; Jack, Chris and Annie Wrenn; Hannah and Lauren Wilmot; Great Grandchildren: Jarrett DeMarco and Sam Gyurjan; Ainsley, Brian and Mackenzie DeMarco; Savannah and Saoirse Swan; Liam and Owen Reid; Viaan Shah as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured cousin Mary Filchak. She was predeceased by her beloved grandson Tim DeMarco; brothers James P and Charles T Carroll and sister Anna Alex.
Virginia was a graduate of Derby High class of 1948 and St Vincent’s Hospital School of nursing in 1952. She was a registered nurse for over 50 years having worked 25 years at Griffin Hospital and retired as a school nurse for the City of Derby in 1989. She was a lifelong member of St Mary’s Parish where she volunteered her time as a Eucharist Minister, weekly offertory collections counter, member of Prayer Shawl group; an officer of the Ladies Guild; and for many years you could find her and John working the ticket booth at the summer festival. Virginia and John were active in the Cana movement in the 60’s and hosted and traveled to other parishes giving Pre Cana conferences to engaged couples.
Virginia also volunteered within her community with various organizations: History Nurse at American Red Cross Blood banks; served on the board of the LNVH Dept; was a corporator of the Valley United Way; the local Birmingham Foundation; life member of the Derby Historical Society; member and secretary of the Derby Commission for the Elderly; member of the Board of Directors of the Hewitt Foundation and an active member of the Derby & Shelton Senior Centers.
Virginia was also a member of the Granada Catholic Daughters of America, St Vincent’s College School of Nursing Alumni Association and a lifetime member of the Ladies Order of Hibernians, Division 66, Waterbury.
Virginia was honored in 2008 being named as a “Woman Making a Difference In the Valley”. In 2011, Virginia received the Christian Compassion Award from St Mary/St Michael schools. In 2015, Virginia was awarded the St Joseph’s Medal of Appreciation from the Archdiocese of Hartford recognizing her years of outstanding service to St Mary’s of Derby parish.
Virginia was a lover of music – especially Irish; loved to travel and was an avid reader. Virginia and John embarked on many memorable trips and cruises together and with friends.
Virginia loved her family above all else – she adored her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, being so proud and interested in all their endeavors and accomplishments.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Milford Regional Medical Center for the outstanding medical care and kindness they showed to Virginia during the last few weeks of her life and to Benchmark Senior Living at Forge Hill for their care of Virginia over the past year. The family would also like to thank neighbor Josh Chiaro, who for the last 23 years has been Virginia’s “right hand man” as he looked out for her and was always a phone call away.
On Friday Dec. 15, 2023, friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 PM at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth St., Derby. On Saturday, friends are invited to go directly to St. Mary Church, 212 Elizabeth St., Derby for her Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM. Her entombment will follow at Mt. St. Peter Garden Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Saint Mary Church, Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Parish.
