Gladys Rose (Maguire) Costello

Gladys Rose (Maguire) Costello, 91, of Georgetown, MA and formerly Hanover, NH, died peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Born on October 22, 1934, in Georgetown to the late George J. and Ruth E. (Lawson) Maguire, Gladys graduated from Perley High School in 1952. Upon her father’s death that same year, she went to work as a secretary at General Electric in Lynn, MA to help support her mother. It was a few years later in that same office, that she met Robert “Bob” R. Costello, who told her, “Someday I’m going to marry you.” Apparently, that was considered appropriate office conduct in the 1950s and, as it turned out, Bob was right, as the two wed on July 13, 1958. This was the start of a 31-year life together, until Bob’s death in 1989.

In that time, Gladys and Bob had four boys: Michael, Mark, Rob and finally, Stephen, after which they gave up on adding a girl to the family. They lived in Georgetown, Hudson, NH and finally found themselves in Hanover, where Bob took a job as the Director of Computer Operations at Dartmouth College, and it was there the Costello family put down roots.

Gladys was a classic Hanover mom, serving as a volunteer in her kids’ elementary school classrooms, as den mother for their Cub Scout troops, ferrying her boys to activities and athletics, teaching Sunday School and generally making sure that the Costello family was kept on the rails. Of course, in their teenage years, a couple of the boys (not Mike or Rob) made that a bit challenging from time to time, but Mom was always there as a constant example of how to be a good person. Importantly to her boys, she was well acquainted with their friends. They all knew Mrs. Costello, or, to some, “The Gladiator.” She was caring, smart, kind, creative (designing several Halloween costume competition winners over the years), and a tremendous amount of fun.

In 1975, she took those qualities back to the workforce, joining Dartmouth College Buildings and Grounds as Events Coordinator for the entire college, and later ascending to the role of Director of Buildings and Grounds. No events (at least those sanctioned by the college) on Dartmouth property happened without Gladys’ review and approval. Her organization of the Annual Commencement ceremony was legendary as were the refrains of “Yes, Mrs. Costello”, “We’ll get that done Mrs. Costello” from the Buildings and Grounds team, as they took orders from their fearless leader.

Although she spent the bulk of her time in Hanover, Gladys was always a Georgetown girl and enjoyed bringing Bob and the boys back to spend time with her mother, her siblings, as well as multiple nieces and nephews in the area. After Bob’s death and her retirement from Dartmouth, Gladys moved back to Georgetown to be closer to her kids and grandchildren. She was absolutely in love with her grandkids. Whether they lived near or far away, she always let them know how special they were, never missing Grandparent’s Day at school, sporting events, concerts or plays, and always remembered them on their birthdays and holidays. She answered to Grammy, Gigi and Gaga, and each of her grandkids have their own unique memories of their time with her. She was Mum, Gladdy and Gladys to the women that her boys brought into the family, loving them just as if they were the girls she never had.

Upon her passing, Gladys was reunited not only with the love of her life, Bob, but also with her parents, her siblings, Theresa Thurlow, and her husband, Ralph; George “Pat” Maguire, and his wife, Betty; Frank Maguire, and his wife Shirley; her dear friend and travel companion Norma Johnson, and countless other friends and family. What a party it must have been. 

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She is survived by her four sons, Mike Costello, and his wife, Darcy, of Harbor Springs, MI; Mark Costello, and his partner Patie Hamilton, of Phoenix, AZ; Rob Costello, and his wife, Maura, of Delray Beach, FL; and Steve Costello, and his wife, Eileen, of Newburyport. She also lives on in the hearts of her grandchildren, Jim, and his wife Ashley, Ryan, Silas, Maxwell, Matthew, and Isabella and her great-grandchildren, Jack and Ella, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends and extended family. They’re all better for having had her in their lives.

Family and friends are kindly invited to attend Gladys' Funeral Service on Tuesday morning, March 17th at 11 o'clock at the Conte - Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant Street, Georgetown. Visitation will be prior to her service from 10 to 11am. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org

For the funeral home directions, florists or to share memories of Gladys with her family, please visit www.cgfuneralhomegeorgetown.com

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