Vera Ellen Olvey Costello (1966-2003)

Vera Ellen Olvey Costello died on December 11 after a heroic, year-long battle with lung cancer. She was a non-smoker, the picture of health and physical fitness.She was born Vera Ellen Olvey in Boston on December 29, 1966. Her parents returned to West Point the following year for service on the USMA faculty, and it was there she grew up, with her sister Elisa, and her three brothers Patrick, John, and Anthony -- all very close to each other in age, and very close in spirit.After graduation from James I O’Neill High School she attended college at Pennsylvania State University and then Georgia Southern University, where she received her baccalaureate degree in 1989. She also attended Escola Americana during a year abroad in Brazil.In 1990 Vera was married to Neil Francis Costello, a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts and a USMA graduate of the Class of 1986.The defining qualities of Vera were her family and her friends. Her interests and hobbies were many, from art to decorating her home to supporting church and community activities to physical fitness, which she was passionate about. And her fitness sustained her through a long, courageous battle. However Vera’s life work, her consuming passion was her family. Vera and Neil’s marriage was blessed with three children -- John Francis, born in 1993; Christopher William, born in 1996, and Peter James, born in 1998. Vera created a joyful, supportive environment for these remarkable boys and no stone was left unturned in insuring their lives were full of fun, challenge and opportunities for development in every way.The other defining aspect of Vera’s life has been her friends. Vera attracted close and loyal friendships throughout her life. From early childhood on those friendships have all endured and those friends have all rallied in her support during the year past. She derived great comfort from those visits and calls, although it often seemed she was the strong one and the inspiration, giving comfort more than receiving it. That was Vera, and that is how she will be remembered.Vera is survived by her husband, Neil Francis Costello; her three sons John Francis, Christopher William, and Peter James; her parents Lee Donne and Mary Kathleen Olvey, her sister Elisa Penha Smalley, and her three brothers Patrick Lee Olvey, John Taylor Olvey, and Anthony Lawing Olvey.A mass will be celebrated in Incarnation Church, 55 Williamsburg Lane in Centerville on 18 December at 4:00 p.m.The funeral mass will be held at Most Holy Trinity Chapel, West Point NY at 1000 hours on December 18, followed by a graveside burial service in the West Point Cemetery. The family requests no flowers. A contribution may be made to the Vera Costello Children Fund, c/o Patrick Olvey, 818 Lyndhaven Court, Columbus OH 43228.