Janet Rogene Fredrick Costello April 12 1928 - January 16 2004

An Orlando ?Native Daughter? was affectionately known as Ormond Beach?s ?First Mother? until her death Friday. Mrs. Costello 75 resident of Orlando died after spending several happy weeks with her family at the home of her son Fredrick W. Costello Mayor of Ormond Beach. She was a caring teacher talented organist and community volunteer who for more than fifteen years was a survivor of breast cancer but now her family celebrates that ?Janet?s with Jesus!? Janet was always most concerned with how she could help and serve others and was worried that she not be a bother or inconvenience to anyone even to her death.

She is survived by her older brother Harlow G. Bud Fredrick Jr. and his wife Faith of Orlando by her brother-in-law Roger J. Costello of Manassas Park Virginia whom she considered as a brother by her son Fredrick W. Costello D.D.S. and his wife Linda of Ormond Beach and by her daughter Ruth Rogene Costello Armstrong of Orlando. She had three grandchildren: Angela Fe Costello Pender Lucas Jacob Costello and his wife Michelle Elliott Eric David Costello; and also three great grand children: Skylar Pender and Austin and Miranda Costello all of Ormond Beach. Perhaps 9 year old Austin said it best when asked what the family should say about his Great Grandma: ?She was real nice and she loved God! I love her.? Who could ask for more?

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Julian Costello originally from Cincinnati Ohio to whom she had been married 32 years at the time of his death in 1981. She was also predeceased by her parents Harlow G. Fredrick Sr. and Doris Anderson Fredrick and her two older sisters Jane Audentia and Doris Elizabeth Bettye Kuhnert.

Janet Costello?s greatest passion in life was giving-she gave her whole self in service to others. She gave cheerfully both of her limited time and funds. As the primary trustee for the Lancaster/Stuart Charitable Foundation she gave generously to dozens of her favorite non-profit organizations. She was also known and respected in her community for arranging support from other donors and she delighted in giving her own money away. It pleased her greatly when she found opportunities to be an anonymous donor. Janet knew ?What Would Jesus Do?? and her actions were the answers to that question. She was a lifelong example of living life as a servant minister. She was a life long example of living life as a servant minister. While rationing her energies in later years she offered her talents to all. Whether as a respected volunteer or as a paid professional musician she especially enjoyed accompanying her daughter playing the flute.

Even after her retirement she remained an active member of many educational and cultural organizations including the American Guild of Organists Central Florida Chapter Past Dean the Daughters of the American Revolution Orlando Chapter Past Regent The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada and Kappa Delta Pi international honor society in education. Her absence will be felt by wonderful people across the globe who have met and known her through these and many other organizations.

Between 1989 and 1995 Janet produced a series of music recitals known as ?Sundays at Three.? Janet had conceived the series as a way to share her church?s pipe organ 1989 McCain & Dickinson with the community. She knew many young local professionals who would appreciate the opportunity to present a recital on a pipe organ and she knew that audiences would appreciate their artistry.

Educated as a child by her loving family through Orlando?s public schools Janet went on to become a room mother and PTA president and then a teacher. She especially enjoyed the year spent teaching second grade at Princeton Elementary School while both of her children attended there. Mrs. Costello earned degrees from Graceland College Lamoni Iowa AA 1947 University of Florida BA 1962 and Rollins College Winter Park Florida MAT 1967.

Janet established