Emelie Rose (Doerfler) Costolo

It is with sad hearts that we announce that our beloved mother/wife/sister/grandmother Emelie Rose (Doerfler) Costolo has passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in Bluffton, South Carolina, at the age of 98.

Emelie was born in the North Side of Pittsburgh, PA in 1925, and was raised in the Beechview section of the South Hills of Pittsburgh.  Emelie attended South Hills High School and had a career as an Executive Secretary at a Commercial Real Estate firm in Pittsburgh.  Prior to her business career, Emelie had a tour in the Hormel Girls Caravan in the early 1950’s, a group that sang, played instruments, and danced in shows, and sold Hormel products store-to-store while traveling the country.

After a few years back working in Pittsburgh, Emelie met her husband Herb in a church choir in Avalon, PA, where they were invited as paid singers to augment the choir.  They were married on Sept. 30, 1961, and were married for 61 years, raising 3 sons in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.  Emelie was devoted to her family, her faith, and her career, of which she retired from in 1993.  She was a member of Northmont Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir along with her husband.  In her retirement years, Emelie enjoyed traveling to visit family/friends, singing in her church choir, and being a proud grandparent.  Emelie has most recently been a member of Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Emelie is survived by her loving husband, Herbert L. Costolo, Jr., son John W. Costolo (wife Tracy, grandsons Joshua, Levi, Tyler), son Ronald E. Costolo, daughter-in-law Lisa E. Costolo (grandson Ben, granddaughter Erin), brother Gustave W. Doerfler, and many nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Aleane G. (Cooper) and Gustave A. Doerfler, sister Virginia A. McCormick, and son Herbert L. Costolo III.

A viewing and memorial service will be held on Wed. July 26th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at Sauls Funeral Home in Bluffton, SC. Emelie will reside in Mt. Royal Cemetery in Glenshaw, PA.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be considered to one of their two churches (Lowcountry Presbyterian Church, Northmont United Presbyterian Church), or to a favorite charity of choice, in Emelie’s name.

Lowcountry Presbyterian Church
19 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton SC 29910

Northmont United Presbyterian Church
8169 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh PA 15237