Gladys M. (Pearce) Costa

Gladys Mae Costa, 76, passed away Tuesday, May 5, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton, MA after a brief illness.

She was married to the late William Rego Costa.

She was born in Fall River and grew up in Westport. She was the daughter of the late Pardon F. Pearce and the late Annie (Cabral) Pearce, and she was the youngest sister of the late Walter Edward Pearce, the late Hilda (Pearce) Halstead, and the late Pardon F. Pearce Jr.

As physical therapy for a hand injury she experienced as a child, she took up piano and performed in several recitals.  She was especially fond of playing the song “Laura's Theme” from Dr. Zhivago, which she continued to play even in recent years.

She was a proud graduate of Westport High School, class of 1961, where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team. In 1964 she graduated as a Registered Nurse from Union Hospital School of Nursing in Fall River. She was employed first as an O.R. nurse at Union Hospital. Throughout her career she worked at various nursing homes in Fall River and as a stay at home mother.

An active volunteer with the Bristol County 4-H Program, she led a sewing club where some of her nieces and her daughter, Margaret, were members. She and her husband, Bill, were selected by the Massachusetts State 4-H Program for the “Salute to Excellence” program where volunteers from across Massachusetts were honored with awards and a special dinner.

An avid knitter, she crafted many sweaters, hats, mittens and afghans to give as Christmas presents to friends and family.

She is survived by a daughter, Margaret (Costa) Laurianno, a son-in-law, Normand Laurianno Jr., a stepdaughter Charlotte (Costa) Thomas, a son-in-law Henry Thomas, a stepdaughter, Claudette (Costa) Galhardo (widow of the late Gregory Galhardo), a stepdaughter, Barbara (Costa) Angelini, and a stepdaughter Mary Lou (Costa) Hadley.  She is also survived by grandchildren Corinne Laurianno, Ryan Laurianno, Colin Laurianno, Christopher Thomas, Sheri (Thomas) McCallister, William Thomas, Dawn (Galhardo) Bolger, Mark Galhardo, and Kristian Chown, several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Bristol Elder Services would be greatly appreciated.  The staff at Bristol Elder Services were key to Mrs. Costa being able to live in her home with assistance for many years.  They are kind, resourceful and a tremendous asset to the aging population in Bristol County, MA.  Donations can be made online at https://www.bristolelder.org/ by clicking “donate” at the top of the page.  Or checks can be mailed to: Bristol Elder Services, Inc., 1 Father DeValles Boulevard, Unit 8, Fall River, MA 02723.

A memorial mass will be celebrated later. Services entrusted to the Oliveira Funeral Homes.