Joan Costello, 88, of Grand Island, NE died peacefully, Monday, June 1, 2026, at her home in Grand Island, NE. Mass of Christian burial will be Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Rev. James Beran will celebrant the funeral mass. Interment will be in O’Connor Cemetery, O’Connor, NE with a 2 p.m. committal service. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Mary’s Cathedral or to the family with later designation. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Joan’s obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.

Joan was born June 12,1937 in Grand Island, NE to Martin and Mary (Reilly) Costello of O'Connor, NE. She attended school at St. Joseph Academy in O'Connor, attended ninth grade at St. Emydius High School in Lynwood, CA, graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1955 in Greeley, NE, attended college at St. Catharine in St. Catharine, KY and Siena College in Memphis, TN. As a Dominican Sister she taught school at our Lady of Peace School in Chicago, IL from 1957 through 1963. In September 1963 through 1968, she taught at Greeley Sacred Heart in Greeley, NE; St Patrick's School in McCook, NE from 1968 through 1970; worked in the Archdiocese Education Office in Omaha, NE from 1970 through 1973; Pastoral Ministry at St. Agnes Parish in Scottsbluff, NE from 1973 through1975; taught school at St. Bridget's School in Omaha, NE from 1975-1976; worked at St. James Day Care in Omaha, NE 1976-1978; began working at Nebraska Department of Social Services in 1978 working in Adult Protective Services. Joan advocated for all individuals to have equal rights and had a strong belief in animal rights and was a strict Vegan most of her adult life. She attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha earning a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling. Joan retired from the Department of Aging Services in Omaha, NE in 2006.

Joan was a staunch supporter of human rights, women's rights, and animal rights. She was an active member, chaplain, greeter, educator, and a board member at Unity Church of Omaha before she made her last home in Grand Island. Joan lived with her brother Ed and niece Angie, who was her caregiver, for the past 5 years in Grand Island and though she had multiple health problems in her later years, she always put her trust in the Lord.

Joan was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral. She will be remembered for her sweet personality and beautiful smile.

Joan is survived by her brother, Edward of Grand Island, NE and sister Delores Wingate of Bellevue, NE many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. Joan was preceded in death by her parents Martin and Mary; brothers Martin, Richard, Tom, Maury, and Gerald; sisters Marie, Lorraine, Irene, Florence, and Clarita.