Dorothy Costa age 83, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Tuesday February 6, 2023. Dorothy Costa was born in Jersey City, NJ in 1940 to George and Anna (Malangone) Wolfenden.
Growing up with a Deaf mother helped to mold the selfless caregiver that she became. Dorothy was inseparable from the caregiver role. She and her husband spent decades volunteering countless hours as sign language interpreters for their local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses: in one-on-one Bible study sessions, congregational meetings, and large conventions, they were dedicated to helping others access Bible knowledge.
In the second half of her life, Dorothy worked in Neptune Middle School in Kissimmee, Florida. For twenty-three years, she embraced the opportunity to touch many more lives, pouring herself into the role of interpreter, tutor, mentor, disciplinarian, friend and example. Everyone who knew Dorothy knew that no physician, nurse, technician, or passerby would fail to get a smile and cheerful “Hello!” inevitably followed by the eager question, “Where are you from?” Dorothy was passionate about many things: cooking, sewing, keeping a spotless home, listening to and telling stories, laughing supportively at jokes (funny or not), traveling anywhere she could experience sand-and-surf, playing cards and board games, and singing along to her favorite oldies and Kingdom Melodies curated by son Steven for long car rides.
Most of all, she was passionate about being a mom, not just to her own family, but also by greeting every newcomer into her Kingdom Hall, taking them by the hand and making them part of her “family.” Dorothy was always happiest when busy with something; making a pot of gravy, polishing a mirror, reading her Bible, or teaching someone she loved. Dorothy succumbed to her illnesses on February 6th, 2024, while being lovingly attended to by hardworking hospital staff and her caring family. In her final hours, much like the past several years, Dorothy was literally never alone, not for a moment. She was predeceased by her husband, George, by her parents, by her brother Bob and his wife Marilyn, and by uncles, aunts and cousins who were part of her family “quilt.”
She is survived by her daughter, Andrea Crosson and her son-in-law David (whom Dorothy always called “another son”); her sons Steven, Christopher, and George and daughter-in-law Veronika (“another daughter”). Also, by her two grandsons, Evan and Jared, and Jared’s wife, Jessica (a new, but beloved addition to the family). Also, her brother James Wolfenden, his wife Kallie, their children and grandchildren, the children and grandchildren of her late brother Bob, and Dorothy’s own cousins, their children and grandchildren. For Dorothy, “family” was so much more than just a word…it defined her.
A memorial Service will be held on 24, 3:00 p.m. Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, located at 2281 N Thacker Ave. Kissimmee.